Northborough – Robert G. “Bob” Atkinson, 93, of Northborough, formerly of Saugus, passed away Wednesday, February 23, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Ellen Theresa (Griffin) Atkinson.
Robert was born on April 11, 1928, in Watertown, MA, son of the late James Edward Atkinson and Marie Yvonne (Arsenault) Atkinson. He was raised and educated in Saugus, a graduate of Saugus High School, Class of 1945. He went on to serve his country as a member of the United States Navy serving from 1945-1949 and then from 1950-1952. During his second tour of duty, Robert served onboard the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) off the coast of Korea as an aerographer’s mate (ship’s meteorologist), attaining the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer upon his honorable discharge from the Navy.
He went on to attend the University of Miami, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
After graduation, he worked as an Electrical Engineer for Western Electric Corporation, as a Field Engineer for General Electric Company, and a Sales Engineer for Transitron Corporation, Motorola Semiconductor and New England Technical Sales. He went on to own and operate his own company, serving as president of Carlisle Technical Sales until retirement.
Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his sons, Robert G. Atkinson, Jr., John J. Atkinson and his wife Pamela; his step-children, Benjamin Dugan, Alexander Dugan, Gregory Dugan; his grandchildren, Ellen Y. Atkinson and Jacob S. Atkinson; his siblings, Joseph L. Atkinson, James E. Atkinson, Irene M. Lee, Patricia M. Sullivan, Jean P. Blakeley; his previous wife, Genevieve F. (Kochan) Atkinson, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard Atkinson, of Scottsdale, AZ.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, from 10-10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer Street, Saugus, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Saugus.
Due to season of Lent, flowers will not be allowed in church, memorial donations may be made in his memory to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.
