Robert L. “Bob” Berthiaume Sr., 80

372

Robert L. “Bob” Berthiaume Sr., 80Shrewsbury – Robert L. (Bob) Berthiaume, Sr. of Shrewsbury, died Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Bob leaves his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth A. (Hutchinson) Berthiaume and his four children and their families, Robert Berthiaume Jr. and his wife Tina of Holden, Liz Carter and her husband Jim, Donna Morgan and her husband Rob, Michelle Gilberti and her husband Rob, all of Shrewsbury. He leaves his grandchildren Danielle and Zach Berthiaume, Jim, Alexis and Hailey Carter, Kati, Eric and Allie Morgan, and Madison Gilberti as well as a great-granddaughter, London Berthiaume. He also leaves behind his sister, Pauline Gaudette of Worcester and brother, Paul Berthiaume of Saugus. Bob is predeceased by his brother, Donald Berthiaume. Bob enjoyed his many nieces and nephews.

Robert was born July 19, 1938 in Spencer, MA, the son of Leo P. and Marguerite (Gariepy) Berthiaume. Bob graduated from David Prouty High School, Spencer and from the Chicago Technical Institute, receiving a degree in mechanical engineering.

He met his future wife, Betty in 1957, marrying 2 years later in 1959. After graduation, he worked for Riley Stoker and then Heald Machine for several years. Bob worked for 12 years as chief engineer at Leland-Gifford Company, before striking out on his own. Being a self starter, Bob thought “If I can do this for others, why can’t I do it for myself.” DREM Machine Company, a name formed by the first initial of each of his children’s names, opened its doors in 1973. DREM made precision parts for manufacturing companies, utilizing state-of-the-art computer controlled machinery.

Bob was an inventor and held a United States patent for a filter for a plastic extruding machine. He was a member and former chairman of the local Chapter 25 of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Bob put as much fervor into his play time as he did into his work life, throwing himself headlong into his leisure activities. In addition to spending all his free time with his family, Bob enjoyed skiing the slopes of New England and beyond. He liked spending time on Swift River, fly fishing with his brother-in-law. He was a firm believer in catch and release. Bob was the founding Cub Master of Boy Scouts of America Pack #258 based out of St. Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury. He took up sailing by joining the Regatta Point Sailing Club at Lake Quinsigamond, winning the Helmsman Racing trophy in his novice year. After catching the sailing bug, Bob went out and bought himself a 24’ sailboat which he was able to enjoy on weekends sailing out of Point Judith in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Golfing was an activity he enjoyed doing with his sons-in-law and close friends.

In his later years, Bob was a volunteer Senior Greeter at Shrewsbury High School, where he was able to see many of his grandchildren and friends wander past.

He loved to have the kids come over to visit with him as he sat at his station.

Calling hours will be Friday, February 8 from 4-7 at Chiampa Funeral Home, Shrewsbury. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, February 9 at 11:00 at St. Mary’s Church, Main Street, Shrewsbury.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the American Heart Association at www2.heart.org or at 300 5th Avenue, Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.

 

No posts to display