Robert B. Thursby, of Chelmsford formerly of Waltham and Wayland, passed away August 9th, at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, following a short illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara A. (Kelly) Thursby. Born in Williamsburg, PA he was the son of the late James and Lenore (McClure) Thursby.
Bob was a proud United States Army Air Force Veteran of WWII. He enlisted into the Army in December of 1943 and was honorably discharged in November of 1946. Following the war Bob returned home and began his career as a mechanical engineer with the Raytheon Corp in Waltham. He retired from Raytheon in 1992 after a career of 39 years. Bob was also a Past Master of the Waltham Masons and is a current member of the Waltham Triad Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Masons.
In his free time Bob enjoyed golfing and playing cards with his many friends. However, his greatest joy came from being with his family and he especially enjoyed his time with his grandchildren and staying current on all of their activities and achievements.
He is survived by four daughters, Patricia Thibodeau and her husband Eric of Nashua, NH, Karen Thursby and her husband Joe Hogan of Wilmington, Laura Thursby of Tewksbury, Kathy Thursby and her husband Peter Clarke of Tewksbury. He was the loving grandfather of Alex and Ashley Thibodeau, Amanda Clarke, Nicholas and Matthew Hogan. He is also survived by his brother, Elmer Thursby of North Carolina.
In addition to his late wife and parents, Bob is predeceased by two sisters, the late Jane Lespinasse and Lola Becker, and three brothers, the late James, John and Timothy Thursby.
Funeral services will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 374 Main St., WILMINGTON, Saturday, August 13th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday from 4 thru 8. Interment services will be private. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the American Diabetes Assoc., Boston Office, 330 Congress St. 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02210.