Robert R. Carrington of Boston and Medford passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024 after a long battle with dementia.
Robert was born on July 11 1930 to Louise (Halidy) Carrington and Robert Carrington, Sr. and was the eldest of nine children. Raised in Boston, he attended Boston Public Schools and at 17 years old, joined the United States Army and served two tours. His second tour was during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Germany. Robert was also a champion boxer in the Army, winning many titles and earning the nickname “Daddy Cool Breeze”.
When he returned from the Army, he worked for the MBTA as a bus driver and married his first wife, Betty. When Betty passed away from Cancer at a fairly young age, he never thought he would find love again but in 1987, he met his second wife, Gerri. Despite a 20-year age difference, they were instant soulmates and went on to live many happy years together.
After retiring from the MBTA, he got his black belt in Karate and attended school to become a massage therapist and Reiki Healer. Robert was a lifelong learner, absorbing everything he could about alternative healthcare and holistic practices. He practiced meditation daily and you could always catch him with his head in a book, learning the newest pressure points or Reiki practices. Robert was a lover of jazz music, especially Pearl Bailey and Ella Fitzgerald and he could recite ditties off the top of his head.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Geraldine (Grant) Carrington in 2015. He leaves behind his sister-in-law, Diane Grant and her husband, Dave Lynch of Winthrop. His Stepdaughter, Diane McLaughlin and her husband Peter of Medford, and his Stepson, Robert Curtin of Weymouth. He had four granddaughters, Hayley, Jackie, Sammie and Grace who affectionately called him Papa-Pa or Pa. And we can’t forget his doggie visitors over the years, Wally, Sophie, Maggie and Lucy, who would light up the faces at the Courtyard.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Staff at the Courtyard Nursing Home in Medford. Especially Kathy McCann and Maggie Dufresne. They became like a second family and took such wonderful care of Robert, especially during the covid pandemic, when he couldn’t have visitors for a long time. The Staff would set up Facetime visits with the family so we could see him and keep in touch, despite being completely overwhelmed during that time.
We would also like to thank Lilycare of Massachusetts whose incredible hospice staff consistently went above and beyond to make sure Robert’s final days and weeks were comfortable. Especially Michele, Nicole and Chaplain Jonathan Pierce. They certainly do Gods work on earth.
Robert’s services will be private. Please consider donating to your local hospice care center or volunteering your time to visit with the elderly in nursing homes. So many people are not lucky enough to have family and friends to visit them and everyone deserves that dignity.