DENNIS - Robert Emerson Wells, Jr., affectionately known as “Papa,” passed away peacefully in his home on March 12th, 2025, with his children by his side.
Robert (Bob) was born on April 14, 1931, in Newton, MA. After graduating high school, he matriculated at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he met his college sweetheart, Barbara Gates. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, the couple married and moved to Baltimore, MD -- where he began his career in the Army as a military intelligence specialist and went on to earn the National Defense Service Medal. After completing his military service, they moved to East Longmeadow, MA, where they settled down and started a family. After a few years, they returned to Barbara’s home town, Abington, where they resided happily for 33 years. He was actively involved in and served as President of the Abington Rotary Club. They enjoyed spending time at their summer home in West Tremont, ME for many years. After Bob retired from his profession, as an independent insurance agent, the couple moved permanently to the home they purchased ten years earlier in Dennis on Cape Cod Bay. While in Dennis, he was an active member of the Rotary Club there and volunteered his time at the local Library teaching English. He was extremely proud of being a Big Brother to a Dennis youth, a role that he lovingly served right up until the time of his death.
Bob was the husband of the late Barbara (Gates) Wells for 68 years. He is survived by his daughters, Norma Easttey and Kimberly Wells, son Jonathan and his wife Susan, eight grandchildren (Jillian Easttey, Kristin Bergonzi and her husband Jason, Lauren Easttey, Ryan Tardif, Elliot Tardif and Casey Tardif, Alexa Wells and Jenna Wells) and four great-grandchildren (Peyton and Wyatt Bergonzi, Alaia Wells and Mason Grant). He is also survived by his Little Brother, Tristan Todd. He was predeceased by his son Christopher in 1982 and his son-in-law Walter K. Easttey in 2023.
A celebration of his life will be held at the United Church of Christ, 10 Bedford Street, Abington, MA on Friday, May 9th at 11 a.m. A burial will immediately follow at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 227 Central Street, Abington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:
VNA of Cape Cod
25 Communication Way
Hyannis, MA 02601