MOSS POINT, MISSISSIPPI- Robert Earl “Bob” Kearsey, 77, formerly of Gloucester, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 26, 2011.
Born in Gloucester on December 18, 1934, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Laura M. (Boucher) Kearsey.
He grew up in Gloucester and attended Saint Ann’s School. He later joined the United States Navy and also served in the Air force. When he returned from the service, he began working with his father. Together they owned and operated lobster companies in Gloucester, Maine, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Washington D.C. They also invented the artificial salt water lobster display tanks you still see in supermarkets today.
In 1953 he built, owned, and operated the famous East Gloucester seafood restaurant, Bob’s Clam Shack, where he served “The Finest Clam on Cape Ann.” After the Clam Shack and Marina were sold in 1980, he purchased an RV and traveled the United States, living and working wherever his next adventure would take him.
In 1998 he decided to settle down in Moss Point, Mississippi with his love of many years, the late Bertha (Bert) Gness, also from Gloucester. Bob knew so many people and made so many good friends from Cape Ann to California and Mexico. He lived an extraordinary and exciting life that one can only imagine.
He is survived by his daughter, Sharon D. Kearsey-Hilaire and her husband, Richard D. Hilaire of Ipswich, MA; a son, Chad L. Kearsey of California, three grandchildren, Lendall R. Johnson Jr. and his wife, Nicole Johnson of Gloucester, Maehgan Fenessey-Smith of Gloucester, and Tyler Kennedy of Woburn, MA; four great-grandchildren, Auriana A. Johnson of Iowa, Tyler S. Johnson, Ali and Emma Smith, all of Gloucester; cousin and good friend Marcia Kearsey-DiLiberti and her husband Joel DiLiberti of Gloucester; many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and his sweet feline companion, Frankie; two very special friends and neighbors, Miss Jessie Colley and her companion “Skeeter” of Mississippi, who were always there with a helping hand when he needed it most. In addition to Bertha and his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Shelly A. Kearsey in 2001, and his brother, Richard B. “Dicky” Kearsey-Boucher in 2005.
His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23rd in the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, 50 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Prayers of committal for both Bob and his brother, Dicky, will be held in the Beechbrook Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Northeast Seafood Coalition Inc., 4 Parker Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.