Gloucester — Robert Allyn Bosselman, 93, passed away early Sunday morning, February 10, 2013, at Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was the husband of the late, Lucienne Marie (Sasco) Bosselman, who died July 4, 2004. They had shared 65 years of marriage.
Born in Gloucester on February 16, 1919, he was the son of Hans Otto and Mary Theodora (Anderson) Bosselman. He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and a graduate of the Gloucester High School, class of 1936. In high school he was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, having attained the rank of lieutenant first class. He was also a recipient of the Sawyer Medal.
After graduating from Gloucester High School, Bob joined the former Gloucester Electric Company, whose customers are now served by National Grid. After 43 years of employment, he retired as a foreman in 1982. During the 1960s and '70s he enjoyed making Saturday deliveries on Cape Ann for Ravenswood Spring Water Company. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he enlisted in May of 1944, served in the Pacific Theater, and was honorably discharged as an Electrician’s Mate Third Class in February of 1945. He made passage through Pearl Harbor to the Pacific islands of Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Okinawa.
A gifted musician, he played the organ and guitar. In his teens, he was a member of a band that performed on a regional radio program. He was also an avid photographer. Bob and his wife lived their entire lives in Gloucester. Cape Ann was the place they most enjoyed. Putting aside opportunities for advancement elsewhere, they raised their children here, close to family and friends. They hosted many family gatherings in their home and cookouts at Wingaersheek Beach and Stage Fort Park. Bob loved the people and beauty of Cape Ann, and often explored the shore and walked the trails of Dogtown with his family. Following his retirement, Bob and Lucienne traveled extensively, seeing much of the United States, including Hawaii, and visiting relatives and friends in Europe.
Bob was a wonderful husband, father and friend to all, and will be greatly missed. He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Bosselman and Linda Bosselman; a son, Robert A. Bosselman Jr. and his dear friend, Janette Elam; five grandchildren, Dianne, wife of Andrew O'Connor, Gregory Johnson, Sarah Tarr, companion of Keith Brown, Emily Tarr, and Andrew Tarr, husband of Jennifer (Rowe) Tarr; six great-grandchildren, Abby, Amy, and Kelly O'Connor, and Logan, Lilith, and Andrew Tarr, Jr. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Winifred and Calvin Kendall.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be held Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4 at the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester, concluding with shared remembrances for those in attendance. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Robert A. Bosselman, Sr. Scholarship Fund, c/o Cape Ann Savings Trust and Financial Services, attention Mandy Machado, 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, or the Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry, 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester (www.capeannfoodpantry.org). For further information or to offer online condolences, visit www.grondinfuneralservices.com. A graveside service and collation will be held in the summer.
