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SALEM - Robert Bruce Addison, Sr., 81 years, passed away suddenly on September 22, 2008 at his home. Bob was the husband of Marilyn V. (Judkins) Addison and they had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary last week. Bob loved the Lord, his family, his church and was a member of Essex Lodge AF & AM in Salem, MA since 1948. Born in Salem, MA on November 16, 1926, he was the son of Frank Leslie Addison and Rita Mae (Bouchie) Addison.
Bob worked in the AC Lawrence Leather Company in Peabody, MA, once the largest leather company in the world for thirty-two years until it closed in 1976. He had served as foreman and later as personnel manager for its National Tanning and Trading Company. Bob was purchasing agent for A.S. Burg in Salem for two ½ years until it closed. In 1987, he became City Assessor for the City of Salem, MA, from which he retired in 1999.
Bob joined Essex Lodge AF & AM of Salem in 1948. From 1957 to 1958 he was the Worshipful Master of Essex Lodge and later became District Deputy Grand Master of Salem’s Eight Masonic District. He was a member of the Golden Fleece Lodge, the Scottish Right Valley of Salem, the Sutton Chapter of York Right, past President of the North Shore Shrine Club, active in the Grand Lodge of MA and past President of the Salem Masonic Temple Association. Bob is a 32nd degree Mason and recently received the Joseph Warren Award for outstanding service as a Mason. For many years, Bob was Santa Claus for Essex Lodge and also enjoyed being Santa for the Shriner’s Hospital in Boston.
Bob was an active member at the First Baptist Church in Salem for his entire life, where he had been Moderator for 40 years, sung in the choir, been Sexton and will be dearly missed by everyone at First Baptist.
He was in the army during World War II stationed in Korea and the Philippians as a Sergeant for the military police and was part of the Occupation Force in Japan.
Bob enjoyed his summers in NH with friends and family in Kingston and will be greatly missed by everyone at the lake.
Beside his wife, he leaves a brother, Harold C. Addison and his wife Phyllis of Essex, a son, Robert Bruce Addison, Jr. and his wife Joanne, a daughter, Bonnie Lyn Addison-DeCenzo and her husband, Carmen, of Salem. Five grandchildren, William Addison, Matthew LeBeau, and his wife Elizabeth, John Addison, Maribeth LeBeau, Lisa Addison and his great-grandchildren Jon Paul Addison and Eleanor LeBeau and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral service will be held Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10 am in the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. Visiting hours are Thursday, 4 to 8 pm with a Masonic Service at 7 pm. Burial is in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church, 296 Lafayette St., Salem, MA 01970. For on-line guestbook and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com .