Robert R. Sweeney

Of Cambridge, died Friday, October 5, 2007 in his home after a short illness. He was 100 years old. His wife, Dorothy C. (Canty) Sweeney died December 24, 1989. He is survived by two children, Patricia E. Sweeney of Gloucester, formerly of Cambridge and Robert J. Sweeney of Dayton, Ohio; Uncle of the late John F. Tierney, Jr.; Cousin of Lawrence Reynolds of Waltham; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews; grand-nieces and grand-nephews; great grand-nieces and great grand-nephews. He was born on November 26, 1906 in Boston, a son to the late Robert J. and Nora (Reynolds) Sweeney. Bob graduated from Lexington High School. Mr. Sweeney received his A.B. from Harvard College in 1932. He joined the Cambridge School Department as a substitute teacher in 1934. He was permanently appointed as a Science teacher in 1938. Mr. Sweeney received his Master's Degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1945. He tutored and was Headmaster of the summer school program from 1945-1957 and became Principal of the Rindge Evening Industrial School from 1951-1953 and 1957-1961. Bob was appointed Headmaster of Rindge Technical School in 1961, and remained in that position until Rindge merged with Cambridge Latin in 1977; at which time, he retired. Following a very short retirement, he was appointed Headmaster of Manter Hall, a private school located in Harvard Square, retiring at the age of 90. Long-active and civic-oriented, his memberships were endless. He remained active in many of these organizations: Cambridge Rotary Club, where he joined in March of 1970 and was a Paul Harris Fellow, Chairman of the Education and Scholarship Committees, and Director from 1974-1977; Cambridge Council Knights of Columbus; Troupmaster and Award Recipient of the Silver Beaver for the Boy Scouts; Active in the Cambridge YMCA and recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award; Cambridge Rindge and Latin Alumni Association, where he is regarded as one of the most loyal and enthusiastic members. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Church in Watertown and its Holy Name Society; Annisquam Community Village and Annisquam Yacht Club. He was a talented craftsman and skilled at constructing boats; he was also an avid outdoorsman. The Funeral will be held Thursday from the Stanton Funeral Home, 786 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown at 9:00 A.M. Funeral Mass in Saint Peter's Church, Concord Avenue, Cambridge, at 10:00 A.M. Interment in Shawsheen Cemetery, Bedford. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours are 4-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's name made to the John W. Wood and Robert R. Sweeney Scholarship Fund, c/o Rindge Alumni Association, Attn: Ted Darling, 157 Pleasant Street, Unit 105, Cambridge, MA 02139 would be appreciated.