Robert E. Dearth

Robert E. Dearth, a longtime resident of Stoneham, MA passed away at the age of 97. He was the loving husband of the late Doris K. Dearth and the late Majorie H. Dearth. He was also predeceased by his stepdaughter, Donna Foss. 

He is survived by his son Robert A. Dearth of Lynnfield, MA, and his wife Valerie; daughters Patricia Nash of Portland, ME, and her husband Paul Griffler; Karen Grzyb of Princeton, MA; and Suzanne Dearth of Stoneham, MA and her partner Scott Eagleston.

He is also survived by his stepchildren and their spouses; Cynthia and Daniel O’Leary of Melrose, MA; Patricia and Greg Bonetti of Old Orchard Beach, ME; and Lance and Lisa Foss of Colorado.

He is very lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Jonathan Nash, and his wife Kosal; Zachary Dearth and his wife Joanna; Jacquelyn MacKinnon and her husband Andrew; Kasey Merchant and her husband Brad; Jessica Grzyb, Erin O’Leary; Megan Lewis and her husband Kwame; Gillian Foss and her husband Jacob; Anna Foss; and great-grandchildren; Peter Dearth; Arnold Dearth; Kwan Nash; Michael Lewis; and Matthew Lewis. 

Bob was born on March 17, 1927, the son of Elwyn and Ella (Lewis) Dearth in Lowell, MA. He spent his early childhood in Jamaica Plain, MA and then moved to Stoneham, MA. Bob was a graduate of Stoneham High class of 1945. Bob left early in his senior year and joined the Navy during WWII, where he served as a radio/teletype operator. He graduated from MCPHS in Boston, MA with a BS in Pharmacy and worked for Parke Davis Co. in Detroit, MI as a sales representative for a few years until he came back to Stoneham to operate his own retail Pharmacy. After selling his pharmacy, he went on to work for several years at Cradock Apothecary of Winchester, MA. 

Bob was a Trustee of the Stoneham Savings Bank for more than 20 years and was very active in the First Congregational Church in Stoneham. He served as Treasurer of their Endowment funds for over 30 years and was a longtime trustee and Deacon Emeritus. He was also a Trustee of the Devlin Scholarship Fund and a longtime Masonic member. 

Bob met the first love of his life Dottie, as he was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his store in Stoneham and she walked by on her way home from work. They were both instantly smitten, and it was love at first sight. They enjoyed raising their children and the life they built in Stoneham, first on Peabody Road and then in the home they built on Lawndale Rd. They made friends for a lifetime in Stoneham.

Bob met the second love of his life Majorie at Church. They were both members of the Hungry Dozen, a group that enjoyed great food and friendship. Soon, Bob and Marge were a couple and enjoyed family, dancing and being together. 

Bob loved to travel with Majorie and Dottie throughout the United States, U.K., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. He also enjoyed his annual trips to Naples, FL., Ocean Park, ME., and Quechee, VT. He loved to golf with his friends here in Stoneham as well as on Cape Cod, and he loved to read and play Scrabble. 

A memorial service will be held at The First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Stoneham on Thursday, October 3 at 10am followed by interment with military honors at Lindenwood Cemetery, Montvale Ave., Stoneham at 11:30am. 

Gifts in memory of Bob may be given to the Doris Dearth Music Fund at The First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Stoneham, MA. 02180 or Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial St. #19, Malden, MA. 02148. 

Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, Stoneham.