Robert Tiernan

Robert "Bob" Tiernan , beloved husband of Lorette (Haley) Tiernan died Sunday September 14, 2014, at his Stoneham residence with his family by his side. He was 78.

Born in Everett on December 14, 1935, he was a son of the late Harold and Ann (Purcell) Tiernan .

Bob graduated from Boston College High School where his devoted teachers trained his mind for study, and the Jesuit Catholic education molded his decisions, particularly later in his Life.

Following high school Bob moved on to Boston College where he obtained an AB Physics and an MS Physics. Bob was a proud member of the Triple Eagle Club with the great class of 1957. He met Lorette, the love of his life in 1956 at an Emmanuel dance and married her in June of 1959. Bob went to Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC and also did research at National Bureau of Standards. While there with his daughter Ruth on his shoulders, he stood a stones throw from John F. Kennedy at his inaugural address.

Bob then took a new job at Sylvania, where he worked for a year before deciding to go back to school for his PhD. He graduated in June of 1969 from MIT. Bob was thrilled that his father who had recently suffered a stroke was able to attend.

Bob started working at Raytheon in 1969 where his work was in microwave electronics, ferrites, and dielectrics.

In 1974 Bob spent nine months at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago as a research associate, studying diffusion and radioactive oxides. He had to leave Argonne and come back to Massachusetts where he taught physics and engineering at a local tech school.

Bob then went to work at Sylvania Lighting, where he was a development engineer, where he retired from in 1994. He moved on to teaching physics, physics labs, and astronomy at Salem State College and Merrimack College.

Bob bought a 1937 Jaguar Kit car, and with parts from a disabled 1978 Pinto was able to make a convertible that he, his wife and children have enjoyed. He took pleasure in kite building, and had a passion to fix things. His favorite place to be was his garden, garage or any place with Irish culture. Bob also had been experimenting with epoxy and was in the process of building a computer chip analyzer.

Surviving him besides his wife of 55 years are his four children, Ruth Roderick of Wakefield, Robert Tiernan , Jr., of Medford, Daniel Tiernan and his wife Diane of North Andover, Paul Tiernan and his wife Tania of Andover; seven grandchildren, Vanessa Motard, Haley Tiernan , Ryan Tiernan , Brendan Tiernan , Kieran Tiernan , Milena Tiernan , Connor Tiernan; two great grandchildren, Xander and Noah Motard; a brother and sister in law, William and Barbara Tiernan of Poway, CA, Ann Tiernan of Black Mountain, NC; Brothers in law and sisters in law, Dr. John Galgon of Allentown, PA, Michael McDonough of Melrose, Regina Hart, Sr. Ruth Marie Haley SSND both of Medford, and Elaine Haley; dear friends Dr. and Mrs. Louis Ricciardelli and family; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Catherine Galgon and Jane McDonough.

Relatives and friends may call at the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main Street, Stoneham from 4 until 8 PM on Thursday. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday in St. Patrick Church at 10:00 AM. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The New England Province of Jesuits, Advancement Office, PO Box 9199, Watertown, MA 02471-9199 or to the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) 345 Belden Hill Rd, Wilton, CT 06897.

September 18, 2014
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

McDonald - Finnegan Funeral Home
322 Main St.
Stoneham, MA 02180

September 19, 2014
10:00 AM

St. Patrick Church
71 Central St.
Stoneham, MA 02180