Marlborough – Robert L. Bob Sibley, 78, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his adoring family, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 in Concord. He was the beloved husband of Thelma Tiny M. (Peterson) Sibley, with whom he shared 53 amazing years of marriage.
In addition to his beloved wife he is survived by his children and grandchildren, Michael Sibley and children Brendan and Meredith of Marlborough and their mother Leslie Sibley of Hudson; William Jimmy and Nancy Sibley and children Sarah, Rachel, Ham and Dylan of Holliston; Shaun and Diane Sibley and children Shaun Jr, Patrick, Scott and David of Natick; and Robert and Amy Jo Sibley and children Shaelyn and Morgan of Northborough. He is also survived by his sister, Joan Lanciani and her husband Tom, and his nieces Lori and Arlene of Sterling.
Born in Gardner, the son of the late Robert L. and Marion (Handren) Sibley, he was a graduate of the Athol High School, class of 1951. Upon graduation and during the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where as an Electronics Technician he repaired drones that were used for target practice until his honorable discharge. He then attended UMass Amherst, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
After furthering his studies at Villanova, Mr. Sibley worked at Raytheon's Sudbury plant for 30 years as an electrical engineer. At 36, he became the youngest principal electrical engineer within his division.
Mr. Sibley was the essence of a family man who selflessly dedicated his life to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He coached each of his sons in the Marlborough Youth Hockey Program and never had a losing season. This tradition of support continued with his grandchildren, whatever or wherever the sport or function.
He summered with his family at Burnettes Mobile Home Park in York Beach, Maine, where he enjoyed dancing, playing cards, flounder fishing, boating, and clamming. He was the go-to guy, fixing all of the neighbors” homes, cars, boats, and the like.
After his retirement, Mr. Sibley spent most of his time playing golf at Twin Springs in Bolton, where beyond two hole-in-ones he would consider his greatest achievement as negotiating better seasonal fees for seniors. Along with his passion for golf, he had a love for traveling. He traveled 23 times to points all over the United Kingdom with his beloved wife, Tiny. He was a member of St. Ann's Parish in Marlborough until its closing and then became a member of the St. Anne Church in Southborough.
He was fondly known as Harp, Pop, and Grampa to his family, who love him so very much.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb.10 at 9 a.m., from the John P. Rowe Funeral Rome Inc., 57 Main St., Marlborough, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Anne Church, 20 Boston Rd., Southborough. Military honors will be held outside the church after Mass. After cremation, burial will be at a later date. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215 or to the Mass Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118.
