Robert G. Abair 82 of Yarmouth Port died peacefully Thursday March 3, 2022 at Maplewood at Mayflower Place Nursing Center in West Yarmouth.

He was the loving husband of Judith A. (Kilbride) Abair for sixty years.

Born, raised and educated in Ludlow, Bob was the only son of the late Edward and Mary (Hojnak). He was a 1957 graduate of Ludlow High School, attended Western New England College, and then received his Bachelor’s Degree from the school of Management and Accounting at American International College in 1981.

In early 1959, Bob was offered a job at Western Massachusetts Electric Company, as a member of the land survey team. He was then promoted to the Drafting Department as a Land and Property Draftsman.

Bob then served, with distinction, in the U.S. Army for six years and was honorably discharged with the rank Sergeant.

Upon returning from the military, Bob was assigned to the Western Massachusetts Electric Company’s Commercial Sales Department, where he served as Senior Commercial Specialist for 12 years. In 1976, he transferred to the Easthampton business office as Manager. While in Easthampton, he served as trustee of the Easthampton Savings Bank.

In the early 1980’s, Bob accepted a position as Manager of Customer Service at the newly constructed facility for Connecticut Light and Power Company in Vernon, CT. After six years of organizing and training employees, Bob transferred to Greenfield, MA as the General Manager.

While living in Greenfield, Bob served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Greenfield Chamber of Commerce, the local Chapter the Red Cross, the Franklin County United Way Bord of Trustees, and the Chairman of the Annual Fund Drive in 1985, the Greenfield YMCA, and a proud member of the local chapter of Kiwanis.

In 1988, Bob was promoted to the position of Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for Western Massachusetts Electric Company. He served in that position until his retirement in April 1999. His responsibility was to serve customers first and still be caring and considerate of the employees.

Bob was always involved in community activities. He served several years with the Ludlow Jaycee Chapter as the Internal Vice President, and served as chairman of several highly successful “Miss Ludlow” and “Miss America” pageants. He also served the Town of Ludlow as Precinct Representative, a member of the town’s finance Board, and also as a Special Police Officer for several years, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

He always found time to work with other organizations that needed help including, serving on the Board of Trustees of Baystate Medical Center, Bay Path College, and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce as Director of Economic Development.

Until recently, Bob was a member of the Association of Retired Employees of Northeast Utilities and Eversource (ARENU), serving as Membership Chairman and Editor of the Newsletter “WATTz-UP.

After ten years of retirement, Bob volunteered to work at the Yarmouth Police Department, and helped to develop and chair the town’s very successful Neighborhood Crime Watch program. He also helped create and establish the Yarmouth Police Foundation, Inc. He served as the Foundation’s first President of the Board of Trustees.

In addition to the love of his life, Judy, Bob is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Verrette and her husband, Dennis of Marblehead; two wonderful grandchildren, Hannah of Richmond, VA, and Andrew of Marblehead; a sister, Betty Ann Blais and her husband, Christopher of Ludlow; his sister in-law, Barbara McGowan of Montana; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Bob’s life is being planned for a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Yarmouth Police Foundation Inc, P.O. Box 701, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675.

Bob was a great man and a wonderful neighbor and friend with my family . We were neighbors at the Cape and was always checking in with me from time to time after having lost both my parents who were friends for many years and my husband. I will miss his calls and him checking in with me sorely. He was like a Father figure to me and will always be remembered fondly! My deep and sincere sympathies to Judy , his wife and Cherl and family! May he Rest In Peace and his Memory be Eternal!

We were saddened to learn of Bob's passing. He was a good friend and neighbor to everyone who knew him. He will be sorely missed. Our love and prayers to his wife, Judy, and her wonderful family.

Marcia and I were so sorry to learn about Bob's passing. He was a great person and we loved spending time with Bob & Judy. We enjoyed many Super Bowl evenings together with Joan and John O'Brien. We had great food, fun, and a lot of laughs, especially when the Patriots won the Super Bowl. Bob had a wonderful sense o humor and always had to good story to share with us. Another memorable occasion was the celebration of Bob & Judy's 50th Wedding Anniversary. We still remember that special event with the Abair's. Judy told me she and Bob had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. We will always remember Bob!!! He did so much in his 82 years and was able to help many people along the way. Best wishes to Judy and family members at this most difficult time.