Robert Tonis

94, died Tuesday at Hospice House in Barnstable Village. Mr. Tonis grew up in Brockton and lived many years in Weymouth and Hull, finally settling in Barnstable four years ago. After graduating from Brockton High as Class President in 1927, he attended Dartmouth College, earning a degree in English literature. He then entered Boston University Law School, where he obtained his law degree. He married Paula Miller in 1935 and joined the FBI to work under J. Edgar Hoover for 27 years. He was assigned to the Boston office as Supervisor of the Criminal Division when the Brinks Robbery took place. Upon retirement from the FBI in 1962, he became Chief of Police at Harvard University. While he was at Harvard, the Globe magazine featured him in an article entitled "The Uncommon Cop," detailing his extensive involvement in the University's community. Mr. Tonis was active in numerous organizations over the years: the Masons, the First Church in Weymouth, scouting, the Hull historical society, and as a volunteer at Harvard's Stillman infirmary to name a few. Among his other interests were beekeeping and jazz; he was fond of Italian opera and played second violin with the Brockton Symphony in the 1950's. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Tonis of Orinda, CA; David Tonis of Brockton, and Frank Tonis of Phoenix, AZ; one daughter, Barbara Brack of Yarmouth Port; a brother, Richard Tonis of Brewster; three grandchildren; two great grand-children, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 27 at Tales of Cape Cod on Rte. 6A in Barnstable Village at 1 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Cape Cod or to the charity of one's choice.