Robert R. Brown, “Bobby”, 88 September 6, 1935 - January 17, 2024

HAVERHILL – Robert R. Brown, “Bobby”, 88, of Haverhill, passed away peacefully at his home on January 17, 2024, after a long illness.

Bobby was born in Lawrence, MA on September 6, 1935. He was the son of the late Josiah and Winifred (Mechan) Brown. He attended Haverhill Public Schools and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1953.  He prepped a year at Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge prior to earning his Bachelor of Science in education from Boston University in 1958.  That same year he met Mary Ellen Ruddy at Maize’s in Salisbury Beach where he was a waiter.  They married soon after and had 4 children; Ellen, Beth, Douglas, and Rudd.

After graduation, Bobby worked at Western Electric before starting his teaching career at Derry Village Elementary School, Derry, NH.  After 2 years he began teaching at Hannah Dustin School in Haverhill in what would be a dedicated and distinguished 40+ year career in the Haverhill Public School System.  His summers were spent at Hampton Beach at the family’s bright yellow cottage, “Mary E”, creating fun and exciting memories with his family.

His summer gig was at The Club Casino where he was the head of security (maitre d).  There he made several lifelong friends and was met with some very interesting experiences, especially with the diverse lineup of performances by artists like U2, Talking Heads, Ramones, Tina Turner, Billy Idol, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Seinfeld, just to name a few.

Bobby was an avid speed walker, cyclist, and enjoyed physical fitness. He was a voracious newspaper reader and was very well versed in current events.   He inherited a green thumb from his father and enjoyed growing his gorgeous cascading petunias every summer at the cottage.  Gardening was a fulfilling and relaxing hobby, and the beauty of Bobby’s petunias, geraniums, and impatiens were the “Mary E’s” prominent feature.

Bobby is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ellen (Ruddy); his children and their spouses, Ellen and Stephen O’Brien, Beth and Michael Mackey, Douglas and Courtney Brown, and Rudd and Cristina Brown; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Bobby and Sara O’Brien (Nina and Wynn),  Johnny and Eryn O’Brien (Ella and Jack), Tommy O’Brien and his fiancé Jackie O’Connell; Emily, Courtney, and Abby Brown;  Josiah and Noah Brown;  Shea Mackey; his sister, Bernice Powers; and his former daughters-in-law, Kerri Marshall and Kirstin Brown.  He was predeceased by his parents, his siblings; George, Winifred Barrett, Elinor Trottier, Richard; and his nephews, Georgie Brown and Jeffry Brown.

ARRANGEMENTS: Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). Arrangements are in the care of the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com