WEBSTER – Robert W. “Bob” Gould, Sr., 95, died Friday, February 23, 2024 in CareOne, Millbury, surrounded by his family, after a period of declining health. His wife of 63 years, Irene R. (Bassett) Gould, died in 2012.
He leaves 6 children, Robert W. Gould, Jr. and his wife Gloria and Donna M. Cleaves and her husband Curtis, all of Webster, James R. Gould and his wife Beverly of Thompson, CT, Sheila M. LaPlante and her husband Robert of Charlton, Leona M. DiTullio and her husband Edward M. of Webster and William P. Gould of Putnam, CT; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 2 brothers, William A. Gould, Jr. and his wife Marji of Eastham and Richard Gould and his wife Mary of Charlton; 2 sisters, Inez Mathieu and her husband Paul of Spencer and Patricia Melegos of Charlton; many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by 2 grandsons William White and Matthew E. DiTullio and by his great-grandson, Hayden White.
He was born in Natick on March 30, 1928, a son of William A. Gould, Sr. and Margaret H. (Ramsey) Gould and lived in Spencer before settling in Webster in 1962. He earned his diploma from Bartlett Night School and attended Worcester State College and Nichols College.
He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Gould first worked for 27 years as a store manager at the A & P Grocery and then as warehouse supervisor for 10 years for Steven’s Linens in Dudley.
He was a communicant of Saint Louis Church where he was a lector, and with his wife a leader in the RCIA Program and the Couple to Couple ministry.
He was a former member of the Serra Club of Southern Worcester County and the Toastmasters International.
An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Gould enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially hiking at the Quabbin Reservoir. He and Irene also enjoyed square dancing. His greatest treasure was the time he spent with his family.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at CareOne for their compassionate care during Bob’s illness.
His funeral will be held on Friday, March 1, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street. Burial with military honors will be in Mary, Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:20 AM Friday in the funeral home, prior to the Mass. The family requests donations in his name may be made to the Friends of Quabbin, Inc., 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 01007.