Robert Dolbeare

Kennebunkport Maine - Robert Preston Dolbeare , 84, former Daily Item Publisher passed away peacefully on March 19, 2014, at Seal Rock in Saco, Maine. His loving family members were at his side.

Born on February 1, 1930 at Melrose - Wakefield Hospital, he was the son of Richard and Alice Dolbeare . Bob was a proud Veteran who served during the Korean War as part of the US Air Force. He was also a member of the Wakefield Congregational Parish Church where he was raised before moving to Lynnfield where he volunteered countless hours coaching and supporting youth and high school sports. Community involvement was always very important to Bob. His commitment to numerous community organizations remained a priority throughout his life.

Bob will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 58 years and best friend Lorraine (Gerry) Dolbeare , and his four children, Glenn and his wife Melanie Dolbeare of Lynnfield, JoAnna Dolbeare of Groveland, Marilyn Dolbeare and her fiancé Kevin Watson of Bourne, and Jim and his wife Sandi Dolbeare of Methuen. He also leaves behind his ten grandchildren who meant the world to him, Meagan Chrobak and her husband Jason of Chelmsford, Brendan Linn and his fiancé Nicole Lamanna of Alaska, Ryan Linn and Katie Wilcox of Bourne, Chanelle Dolbeare and Sani Hebaj of Staten Island, Olivia Dunn of Manhattan, Justin Dolbeare and Anna Perkins of Methuen, Hayley Dolbeare of Methuen, Jessica Stuff and her husband Ken of Alabama, Corey Dolbeare of Lynnfield, and Mackenzie Dolbeare of Lynnfield. He was predeceased by his sister Peg Weyland of Missouri.

Bob Graduated from Wakefield High School in 1948 and was very active in varsity sports. Bob went on to graduate from Dean College in 1949 and attended Boston University.

Along with being a loving husband, father, and grandfather, Bob had many accomplishments. Some of these accomplishments include running the Boston Marathon, walking the Boston Walk for Hunger, and participating in President John F. Kennedy's policy for people being active, by walking in a 50-mile club. Being a cancer survivor himself, one of his finest and most rewarding accomplishments was being a Pace Setter for the Boston Jimmy Fund Walk. Bob proudly walked all 26.2 miles annually with his children and grandchildren.

The finest gift he gave the community of Wakefield may have been in 1992 when, after learning that the Dolbeare School in Wakefield named after his grandfather, was going to embark on a three to four year fundraising program to raise the money to buy new playground equipment, Bob contacted the Principal and donated a PlayBooster System, with his wife Lorraine, his children and grandchildren.

Bob and Lorraine retired to The Villages in Florida in 1997 where they spent 20 wonderful years playing golf, softball, and participating in multiple events with their many friends and family. They also spent many joyous years at Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport Maine.

Some of the many community organizations Bob was a part of were: President of Local Citizens Scholarship Foundation, Secretary of the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association, Wakefield Rotary Club, Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Pace Setter, Salvation Army, United Fund, Visiting Nurse Association, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Melrose- Wakefield Hospital, Partners-with-Youth for Lynnfield, Lynnfield Junior Sports, Lynnfield Sports Boosters, and two term President of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, along with many more.

Calling hours will be Sunday, March 23 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave. Wakefield, MA. Memorial service will be held Monday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St, Wakefield, MA.

In Bob's memory, for those wishing, donations may be made to the Robert and Lorraine Dolbeare Scholarship Fund, The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, Inc., P.O. Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880

March 23, 2014
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

March 24, 2014
11:00 AM

First Parish Congregational
1 Church St.
Wakefield, MA 01880