Mr. Robert G. Fox

“To All Hands.” Major (Retired) Robert G. “Bob” Fox, 90, of North Andover, died peacefully on October 16, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was born in Lowell, MA, son of Leo F. and Catherine L. (Cryan) Fox. Bob graduated from Keith Academy in 1944, a star third baseman for the state champions, and from Northwestern University in 1956. In 1944, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force, a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean War (24th Infantry, 19th Division), and active during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War. Following his 22-year military career, Bob returned to his hometown and worked for the Raytheon Missile Systems Division until retirement in 1991. Bob considered his family his greatest achievement. He was a gentle man, kind and thoughtful, who taught more by his actions than his words; always kept his sense of humor but not his patience; and dispensed wisdom as randomly-numbered proverbs. For the past 55 years, Bob and his family summered in Rockport, MA, where you were always welcomed aboard, and clambakes, cribbage, and candy awaited you. You might find him reading a great book, tending to his vegetable garden, feeding the birds, soaking up the rays by the shore, or enjoying a favorite mocha ice cream soda. He was the original Bob the Builder, and when he wasn’t renovating his home, he was creating prize-winning floats for the 4th of July parade or designing the next project. Bob’s adventurous spirit took him traveling around the world visiting almost all 50 states, 4 continents, and 25 countries. He loved cruising Cape Horn, Russia, the South Pacific, and Thailand, and cherished family trips to Ireland, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. Survived by his loving wife and true companion of 66 years, Ann T. (Sullivan) Fox, his daughters Sheila Cruise and her fiancée Edmund Weidner of Naples, FL, Roberta and Bruce Patterson of North Andover, MA, Jane and William Dobson of Gloucester, MA, Paula and Drew Niziak of Miramar Beach, FL, Erin and William Dzilenski of Warwick, RI, Dr. Anne and Samuel Schumacher of Bow, WA, his son Gregory and Jami Fox of Solana Beach, CA, 18 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, his brother Gerald Fox of Walpole, MA, 4 sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen M. Fox, RN, his son-in-law Stephen Cruise, and his brothers Richard Fox and Frederick Fox. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, c/o Sister Margaret Mary Kimmins, PO Box W, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778. The family welcomes you to join in a celebration of his life. Visiting hours on Sunday, October 22 from 2-5 PM at the Fay McCabe Funeral Home, 105 Moore Street, Lowell, MA. Funeral Mass on Monday, October 23, at 10 AM, Immaculate Conception Church, 144 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Rd, Tewksbury, MA. “Good Luck and God Bless.”

Mr. Robert G. Fox

December 18, 1926 - October 16, 2017