1929—2024
CHATHAM—Robert E. “Bob” Santry passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024, with his family by his side. Bob was born on February 7, 1929, in South Boston, to Mary Ellen McDonough and Daniel Stephen Santry.
Bob was a reigning “Double Eagle” graduating from Boston College High School and Boston College (1950) and then from Bentley College. He was an army veteran of the Korean War serving honorably from 1951-1952 with overseas duty.
Bob met Elizabeth “Betty” McLaughlin on the beach in Southie, and the two were married in June 1956 at St. Brigid Church. They raised their family in Monroe, CT, while Bob worked as an accountant for General Electric for 35 years. Bob and Betty retired to Wellfleet, MA, and later moved to Orleans, MA.
Bob was unassuming with a dry, witty sense of humor—neighbors would comment “all we can hear is laughter coming from the Santry’s house.” He had a life-long love of ice cream, the beach, and classic movies. He was a New England sports fan and enjoyed attending outdoor concerts at Tanglewood. Fine wine was his favorite libation. Bob served on the Monroe Board of Education, managed a political campaign, and was an amateur meteorologist. He was loved by his family and friends. His smile was illuminating with a grin that touched everyone he met.
Bob will be adored, and forever missed by his family. He was the loving father to his four children, Bob Santry and wife Susan of Middlebury, VT; Louise Santry of Chatham, MA; Patty Moody and husband Tom of West Haven, CT; and Kathy Gallant and husband Scott of Bowdoinham, ME. He was an adoring Gramp to his grandchildren, Dan, Jimmy, and Bobby Moody; Joe and Kerry Haggerty; and Meghan Santry; and to his great-grandsons, Liam and Callahan Haggerty; and lastly, his grand-dog, Buddy. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, including his godsons, Tom Sylvester, and Bill Skinner, with whom he shared a special bond.
He was predeceased by his parents (his mother passed away when he was just six years old); his wife Betty in 2020; Aunts Molly and Katharine Santry, who helped raise him; and beloved siblings, Mary Skinner, who he adored; Daniel Santry; William Santry; John Santry; and Joseph Santry.
Bob’s grandfather immigrated to Boston from County Cork, Ireland in the late 1800's. Bob was raised in a large and loving Irish family, and is the last of his generation. Sláinte to a life well-lived!
His family is deeply grateful to the nurses and staff at Liberty Commons in Chatham, and to
Broad Reach Hospice for the care, kindness, and compassion they gave Bob since he moved there in November 2016.
Visitation will be on Monday, September 9 at 10:15 a.m. at St. Brigid Church, 841 East Broadway, South Boston, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Internment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 920 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA. Bob loved flowers. If you wish to do so, please send flowers to Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127.