Westborough – Robert J. “Bob” Mertzlufft, 89, of Westborough and formerly of Shrewsbury, Tampa, Fla., and Buffalo, N.Y., passed away peacefully on May 13, 2021 with his devoted wife of 36 years, Bette (Josephson) Mertzlufft, by his side.
Along with Bette, Bob leaves his stepson, Derek Speed and his wife Jennifer; his granddaughters, Katherine Speed, Megan Speed and her partner James Galica, and Susannah Speed; his daughter, Lori Mertzlufft and her partner Rhian Gregory; and his siblings, Ann (Mertzlufft) Fromen, Carol (Mertzlufft) Brady, and Thomas Mertzlufft and his wife Katherine.
Bob also leaves five other children and nine grandchildren from a previous marriage, along with several nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Winifred (Baker) Mertzlufft; his brothers-in-law, John Fromen and Jack Brady; and his granddaughter, Amanda Speed.
Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Bob was a graduate of Canisius College, with his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, achieving the rank of sergeant. He lived in Shrewsbury for many years before he and Bette moved to Tampa, Fla. in the mid-1980s.
Bob was an insurance industry sales and marketing executive, working for State Mutual Life Insurance Company at their home office in Worcester and at their offices in Tampa.
In his free time, Bob was an avid golfer and sports fan, who loved watching Tiger Woods, the New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He and Bette enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends across the United States, cruising to Alaska, and visiting Hawaii and several countries in Europe, including England, France, and Germany. He also loved to garden and had extensive rose gardens at his homes in both Shrewsbury and Tampa, and especially loved listening to music.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 (support.woundedwarriorproject.org).
A private Mass and graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family.
