Robert Moulton Sr.

Robert Roy Moulton Sr.

1934-2010 NORTH ADAMS Robert Roy Moulton Sr. 76, of 1191 Massachusetts Ave. North Adams, died Thursday July 29, 2010 at North Adams Regional Hospital after being stricken earlier at his home. He was the appointed deacon of the Adams Catholic Community of Adams, MA.

He was born in Manchester, N.H. on June 10, 1934 a son of Roy Moulton and Hazel Lillie Moulton. He atten ed schools in North Adams, and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1952 and Massachusetts State Teachers College now MCLA in North Adams.

He was employed by Sprague Electric Company in quality control. In 1953 he joined Hoosac Valley Optical Company and became a certified licensed optician and a certified audiotrician. He also taught science in Adams Schools and served as an adjustment councilor. He then served three years as a high school councilor at McCann Vocational High School in North Adams. He and his wife then purchased the former Hoosac Valley Optical Company in 1971 and founded the Spectacle Shoppe in North Adams and then opened another shop in Bennington, Vt.

In 1956 he converted to Catholicism and in 1989 he was accepted by the Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Maguire in the permanent Deaconate program for the Diocese of Springfield. Four years later in 1993, he was ordained a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church being the first deacon to be ordained in Northern Berkshire. He was also the founder of the Eucharistic Adoration in North Adams and Adams. He retired from the optical and hearing aids business in 1994 to devote himself fulltime as a deacon. Deacon Moulton said that he was not a "cradle catholic" but converted at the age of 26. "I am tremendously blessed. I can't believe the Lord has given me this many blessings, beginning with my wife and my children. I know I am doing what God wants me to."

Mr. Moulton is a director at the Adams Co Operative Bank. He is president of RMA Foundation, founded by Rev. Peter Pagano which supports good works and spreads the knowledge of Virgin Mary.

He was also awarded the Rosasco Humanitarian Award which is given in remembrance of North Adams native Judge Ernest H. Rosasco who was active in multiple activities.

Mr. Moulton is survived by his wife the former Carolyn Cicchetti whom he married on September 11, 1954 in St. Anthony of Padua Church.

Ten Children, Robert Moulton Jr. and his wife, Bonny, Mary Ann Meaney and her husband, John, Peter Moulton and his wife, Laurie, John Moulton and his wife, Jenny, Theresa Denault and her husband, Michael, Mark Moulton and his wife, Cathy, Maria Moulton, Roxana Moulton, Matthew Moulton, all of North Adams, and Christopher Moulton and his wife, Kerry of North Carolina, 26 Grandchildren and two great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Donald Moulton.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral Services for Robert R. Moulton Sr. will take place Monday August 2, 2010 at 11 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 68 Marshall St. North Adams. Burial will follow in the family plot in Southview Cemetery, South Church St. North Adams. Calling hours are Sunday August 1, 2010 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pope John Paul the Great Church, Maple St., Adams. Benediction will follow the calling hours and Eucharistic Adoration will continue throughout the night for anyone who wishes to attend, until the time of the funeral on Monday.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested for RMA Foundation or VNA & Hospice of North Berkshire through the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, Mass., which is in charge of arrangements.