LANCASTER/SHREWSBURY - Robert O. Bartholomew (Lefty), 93, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Born in Worcester and raised in Shrewsbury, Bob was second of seven children to Leon B. and Elizabeth (O’Loughlin) Bartholomew. He lived the last 15 years in Lancaster.
Bob was a graduate of Major Beal High School in Shrewsbury where he played varsity football and was a member of the crew team. While a senior in high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and after graduation, honorably served his country during World War II. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1950 to 1953. He married the love of his life, Betty Drysdale, on November 26, 1953 at St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury, and lived most of the following 36 years in Shrewsbury where they raised their six children. Bob worked 40 years at Federal Pacific Electric, retiring in1989 as regional manager. He also served as a Director of the Electric Institute of Massachusetts and the Worcester County Electric League. A life-long golfer, Bob was a former member of Pleasant Valley CC, Holden Hills CC, and Twin Springs CC. After retiring, he worked as a ranger at several area golf courses. He was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury where he served as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, usher and member of the choir. Bob was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus.
He will lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 67 years, Betty D. (Drysdale) Bartholomew; six children, Linda Hammoud and her husband, Bassam of Maumee, Ohio, Jane Barton of Brownfield, Maine, Diane DeSantis and her husband, Louis of Charleston, South Carolina, Robert Bartholomew and his wife, Karen of Dennis, Sheila Marcello and her husband, Michael of Orlando, Florida and Maria Hale and her husband, Brian of Holden; three brothers, David Bartholomew of Florida, Richard Bartholomew of Connecticut, and Michael Bartholomew of Maine; a sister, Nancy Forhan of Holden; 15 grandchildren, Jake, Julia, Layla, Samir, Nicole, Leanne, Eric, Colleen, Laura, Lucas, Nina, Nicholas, Michaela, Louie and Andrew; 8 great grandchildren, Jazmine, Una, Norah, Lucas, Maeve, Kealan, Vito and Nico; and many nieces and nephews. Bob is predeceased by two brothers, Leon and Gerald Bartholomew, and a son-in-law, Richard Barton.
Bob’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caring and dedicated staffs at Nashoba Home Care of Groton and HeathAlliance Home and Health Hospice in Leominster.
Bob’s family will be celebrating and honoring his life privately at a funeral service scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday, December 20, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center in Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HealthcareAlliance Home and Hospice, 60 Hospital Rd., Leominster, MA 01543, or to Nashoba VA Home Care, Groton.
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