Robert Cloutier

The Reverend Robert Cloutier (Pastor Bob) of Hopkinton went to meet his Lord on Aug. 25 after a courageous eight-month battle with a rare form of lymphoma.

A pastor at Faith Community Church Hopkinton (formerly First Congregational Church of Hopkinton) for over 37 years, Bob’s life mission was serving God by serving others. He did so with compassion, love, kindness and commitment. He truly was a beacon of the fruits of the Spirit. Bob fully embraced his calling as pastor; he loved sharing the gospel and in his life he ministered to thousands.

His other passion was his family. He and his wife, Linda, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in June. Together they have three children, Daniel, Becky and Lindsay. Bob loved doing life with his kids. He passed on his love of sports, watching and coaching youth sports in Hopkinton (a community he treasured for over 35 years).

Bob grew up in Seekonk. He graduated from Brown University and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Bob was a lifetime learner who was curious and excited about each new day. He loved biking the Milford and Cape Cod rail trails, golfing with his dad and brother, playing basketball and watching the Cs, going on baseball road trips, “The Nutcracker” at Christmas, carving the Thanksgiving turkey, vacationing in Eastham and Loon Mountain, boogie boarding, bird watching, sending roses to his girls, his small group, spending time with his doting grandchildren, and, above all, being there for others during hard and difficult times.

In addition to his wife, Linda, Bob leaves his mother, Sarah E. Cloutier (formerly of Seekonk), his son Daniel and wife Kalina Cloutier of Upton, daughter Becky and husband David Corey of Lancaster, and daughter Lindsay and husband Mike Bohanske of Portland, Maine. His biggest fans were his grandkids, Jonathan, Lane, Luke, Genevieve, Eden and Sydney, who will miss him dearly. Bob also leaves his church community, whose members are his extended family. Bob is predeceased by his father, Robert G. Cloutier (1999) and his brother, Daniel H. Cloutier (2005).

The very last sermon Bob spoke was on the topic of Heaven. That message is a comfort to all his family and friends who know that he is now safely in the arms of the Lord where we will be joyfully reunited. A video link of this message can be found at youtube.com/watch?v=WrtKIYQFpc8&t=68s.

A memorial service for Bob will be planned at a later date. Arrangements will be noted on the Chesmore Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s honor can be made to the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, 112 W. Main St., Hopkinton, MA 01748 (hopkintonrespite.org).