Robert Morris

Robert William Morris, 86, of Hopkinton passed away at his home, surrounded by his family after a lengthy health battle, on April 8. Born in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Viola (Pielstick) and Chester Morris. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Painter) Morris, to whom he just celebrated 63 years of marriage on March 11.

Bob was inducted into the Coast Guard Reserve during the Korean War. He worked for the Hoover/Maytag Corporation in sales for 43 years. He was truly the patriarch of our family. He was affectionately known as “Poppa Bear” or “Pops.” He was known as a fierce competitor and loved conquering a great challenge. He carried this winning approach throughout his life, whether it was playing baseball in his youth, garnering scouting looks from Major League Baseball teams, grabbing a certificate fishing for the largest or longest catch, mastering the stock market like a CNBC analyst, elaborate egg hunts, dive contests and countless memories with “Pop.” He was a force well into his 80s, and phrases like “Pop can fix it” were said almost daily. Bob loved hosting anything and everything with the love of his life, Dorothy “Merzie,” at his home in Hopkinton, where friends were always considered family. Nothing brought more pleasure to Bob “Pop” than a full house filled with love, laughter and cheer. He had a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face enjoying what he considered to be life’s precious gift, his family. He will be deeply missed, remembered and cherished by family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Robert is survived by his six children, Renee “Cookie” Canonica, Andrea Rowe and husband Alan, Robert William Morris Jr. and wife Julie, Darin Keith Morris, Nicole Tighe and husband John, and Danelle Foley and husband Jay. He also leaves behind his sister, Lillian Traultfelter; grandchildren, Ashlyn Dimanno (Matthew), Bailey Faradie (Dana), Jack Tighe (Jess), twins Jordan and Blake Rowe (fiance Adam Faletsky), Bridget Tighe, Timmy Tighe, Camden Rowe, Connor Foley, Maclain Tighe and Brittin Foley; and six great-grandchildren, Aidden Morrell, Parker and Olivia Dimanno, Brooks and Ty Faradie, and Harper Tighe.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 12, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe Street. A funeral Mass will be celebrated following visitation at 11 a.m. at Saint John the Evangelist Church of Hopkinton. Burial will follow in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stella Project (projectstella.net).

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.