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ROBERT PRIESTLEY Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT PRIESTLEY
Debbie Young
June 28, 2017
Rip Bob I met you through your wife Justime who I was taking care of at the time of her death. A very good man
Camp Walt Whitman anniversary
February 20, 2016
February 20, 2016
Leader, strong, kind, great fishing buddy, outdoorsman / woodsman. Thanks Bob.
Dori Stibolt
June 24, 2015
As the summer months are upon us, I can remember Mr. Priestley at many a summer gathering in Waterview Farms. Such a kind and friendly man, as was his wife Justine. It is sad to think of all the old guard from Waterview Farms that are no longer with us, but also so happy to have the memories of these summers and all the people who made them special.
Newton Pendleton
June 18, 2015
Family Priestley,
One of the finest , after a long & wonderful life, is no longer with us. Do savor your loving & cherished memories.
May he rest in peace,
Newton Pendleton 59`
June 17, 2015
Bob and Justine were our dear friends and neighbors on Martha's Vineyard. We loved nothing more then listening to Bob's stories at July 4th parties. He was a thoughtful, kind and a very witty man who knew how to relate to people of all ages. Justine was our real estate agent and when, in 1986, our house was not completed on time, Bob and Justine invited my 16 year old daughter and her friend to spend the summer with them. It was a wonderful experience for them and my daughter Carolyn loves Bob dearly. My husband and I were so happy that Bob made the trip from the cape to come visit us on the vineyard during the summer of 2013. We had a great time with him and cherish our memories of being with him. I remember everything that he told me to help me improve my golf game. He remained a great teacher throughout his life.
We will remember him always.
With sincerest sympathy.
Roberta Boltin
June 16, 2015
On behalf of the John William Blatchford family our most sincere condolences.
Bob McLeod
June 16, 2015
My sincere condolences to the Priestley family. Bob, you made those treacherous trips to Colby and Bowdoin a little more bearable with your dry humor and wit: "They can't play w/o us." Rest in peace and thanks for four great years. Mac '58.
Robert Friedman
June 16, 2015
I am sorry to find out that Bob passed away. I had the pleasure of knowing him at Norwich and I also worked for Bob at Camp Walt Whitman. Quite an experience. Bob and my Dad Sonny Friedman were classmates at Brown class of 42. neither ever told me what trouble they got into in college. But I knew they did. I'll think of Bob and hockey and his different sense of humor. he was a classic. Bob Friedman NU 72
June 5, 2015
As a friend of Justine on MV for years, I got to know Bob as well. I well recall his favorite story at a July 4th party, when he went around shaking guests' hands, saying that as a child he had shaken the hand of a man who as a child had shaken the hands of a soldier in the Revolution! As a historian of the Revolution I found it meaningful to be reminded of how short our nation's history really is. I always enjoyed Bob's company though he liked to "agree to disagree" with me.
Mary Beth Norton, West Tisbury and Ithaca, NY
June 2, 2015
YI am saddened to hear about coach Priestley passing. He was a great hockey coach and we always enjoyed being with him on the ice at Norwich What a great guy. My deepest sympathy to the family. Jerome Schilling. Class of 1960.
Kyle Fiore
May 29, 2015
I was very sad to hear that Coach had passed away. He was truly one of the greats and I feel very fortunate to have known him. Coach Priestley will be dearly missed by many.
Mark Hess Edgartown Golf Club
May 29, 2015
What a great guy. Glad to have known him.
Ken and Nancy Howard
May 27, 2015
Bad Pass Drill, Yell Pass, Use Points, and thee "Chicago Turn" were drills at our practices--all to make us better players. Win or lose, it's how you play and conduct yourself. Play smart or don't play--your choice. We stayed at the best hotels or motels with $1.50 meal allowance per player. Black tape for our wood sticks--no white tape allowed; and we had our own personal skate sharpener--Coach Priestley.
Taylor Arena didn't have a zamboni our freshman/sophmore years. Scrimmages weren't over til Coach scored one. We were treated equally and disciplined when are actions required it. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed every minute (unless Middlebury won).
Our fiftieth reunion is this fall. Norwich was all men and all military in the 60's. Thru more then 5 decades we've stayed connected--a brotherhood. Some of us went to Vietnam and some didn't come back. We were the last class under President Ernest Harmon. Our parents were World War II era. We shared much in common; and for those of us, who played hockey or football our common thread was Coach Bob Priestley.
My hockey buddies and I will be golfing, reminincing, and sharing old, old stories over a few "soda pops" homecoming weekend. You'll still be a part of it, Coach ! Thanks for your mentoring and all the memories.
Our sincere condolences to Pamela, Patricia, Mark, Paula, Kelley, Bob's siblings and grandchildren, and "Bullets, Jr." And Dottie
Hound Dog and Nancy Howard
Norwich 1965
Ken & Nancy Howard
May 26, 2015
Bad Pass Drill, Yell Pass, Use Points, and thee "Chicago Turn" were drills at our practices--all to make us better players. Win or lose, it's how you play and conduct yourself. Play smart or don't play--your choice. We stayed at the best hotels or motels with $1.50 meal allowance per player. Black tape for our wood sticks--no white tape allowed; and we had our own personal skate sharpener--Coach Priestley.
Taylor Arena didn't have a zamboni our freshman/sophmore years. Scrimmages weren't over til Coach scored one. We were treated equally and disciplined when are actions required it. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed every minute (unless Middlebury won).
Our fiftieth reunion is this fall. Norwich was all men and all military in the 60's. Thru more then 5 decades we've stayed connected--a brotherhood. Some of us went to Vietnam and some didn't come back. We were the last class under President Ernest Harmon. Our parents were World War II era. We shared much in common; and for those of us, who played hockey or football our common thread was Coach Bob Priestley.
My hockey buddies and I will be golfing, reminincing, and sharing old, old stories over a few "soda pops" homecoming weekend. You'll still be a part of it, Coach ! Thanks for your mentoring and all the memories.
Our sincere condolences to Pamela, Patricia, Mark, Paula, Kelley, Bob's siblings and grandchildren, and "Bullets, Jr." And Dottie
Hound Dog and Nancy Howard
Norwich 1965
May 26, 2015
To All of the Priestleys, what an accomplished man your father and brother was and will be dearly missed by so many.
With love from near and far, Anne Gannon, Fort Myers FL
May 26, 2015
On behalf of everyone at Norwich University, I want to express my sincere sympathies to the Priestley family on the passing of Bob. Bob was a great friend and mentor to me and I will always remember his sense of humor, integrity and intelligence. He was loved by all the students that played for him. He is a Norwich legend that will be greatly missed but never forgotten. He helped make Norwich the great institution it is today and we are all thankful for his contributions to our University. Tony Mariano, Director of Athletics
Gigi Carroll
May 25, 2015
Dear Patricia and all of Robert's family. I have missed out on meeting this wonderful man but I know the legacy he has left. He raised an incredible woman and friend. I'm sorry for your loss. I am thinking and praying for you.
Love you Pat
Gigi Carroll
Dad and Collin Karmody
May 25, 2015
on the Vineyard
May 25, 2015
1942 Philadelphia Eagles #81
May 25, 2015
Ken McKinnon
May 25, 2015
As a member of the UNH Hockey team, I played against Bob's teams from '59 through '62 . He was always friendly & personable regardless of the outcome of the games . While refereeing NU / Dartmouth Freshmen Hockey in 1965 , Bob came into our dressing room after the game & told me & my partner that he was turning our names into the ECAC to become college hockey officials . I am forever grateful to Bob for his recommendation & ended up refereeing ECAC college hockey for the next 25 years .
My sincere condolences go out to his family as we all mourn a TRUE LEGEND in the history of athletics .
Ken McKinnon UNH '62
Edward & Jean McCann
May 25, 2015
We send our condolences to the family. We met Mr. Priestley at the home of Patricia and Collin in Hilton Head several years ago and remember him as a fun-loving person. We enjoyed his company during our visit!
Jean and Ed McCann
Linda Heise
May 25, 2015
What a role model demonstrating an active, engaged and positive life style. Met Bob when he was in his late eighties and truly inspired by his active mind and his golf game. Our thoughts are with your family.
Bob and Linda Heise
Hilton Head
May 25, 2015
Myself and Nate Palmer had the privilege of visiting with Coach in South Yarmouth last year for the purpose of presenting him with a token of the Class of 1963 appreciation for his mentoring of many of its members. We spent an incredible half day with him, and were spellbound by stories of his past, and in particular his memories of Norwich University. As a class we felt it was the right thing to do and as an individual, I felt it was the only thing to do. He left an indelible mark on many of our lives and we will never forget him and we will be forever grateful. When he starts a hockey team at his new location, our class has given him a great First Line of Kennedy, Coe, and Skinner. As a football player, I can now tell him to forget Left 28 as it was too tough to block.
To his family, I can only say that its a tough loss, but you were blessed to have him for so long---Brendan O. Cleary, Norwich Class of 1963, and fellow classmates
May 24, 2015
MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE PRIESTLEY FAMILY --I PLAYED FOR BOB FOR 4 YEARS IN HOCKEY 1954 --1958 AT NORWICH. HE WAS AGREAT GUYAND A GREAT COACH.
DICK MULLEN NU '58
1965 Norwich Hockey Team (Coach Uncle Bob in background on right; I'm fourth going left from him in middle row)
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
All the Priestley Siblings 1987 (women from left: Olive or Tiny, Jean, Marie, Anne; men from left: Warren/Git, Russ, Gil, Bob)
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
Priestley Brothers - Gil, Bob, Russ and Warren/Git
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
Priestley brothers - Melrose Hockey (first row left Gil Priestley, Bob Priestley, skip two, then Russ Priestley)
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
Uncle Bob at Sister in Law Lorna Priestley's 90th Birthday Party in 2011 on right with his brother Russ
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
On my Norwich graduation in 1965 with my Aunt Terry and Uncle Bob
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
The Priestley brothers in 1995 in Maine (Gil, Warren/Git, Russ and Bob)
Bob Priestley
May 24, 2015
Bob & Dottie Priestley
May 24, 2015
We send condolences to our cousins, aunts and uncle. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time. My parents named me after my uncle Bob and his brother Russ because of how much they admired them. He was the reason I attended and played hockey under him at Norwich. I cherish the memories of times spent with him and his family there and all the times in the years after. His sports and military accomplishments are many, but we remember him as a wonderful storyteller, curious and interested listener, history buff, fisherman, bird-house maker, puzzle-doer and cook. His kale soup recipe is our favorite. He was an unlikely artist in paint and wood, using scraps, of course, being a very thrifty person. He was a humorous and all around good guy who, in more recent years, whistled as he worked on his puzzles or drove us around the Vineyard. And I could never beat him at cribbage! He had a very long and full life with his huge extended family. We will very much miss him.
Tom Smelstor
May 23, 2015
I often think of the 4 great years playing for coach. A humble, and honorable man with a great sense of humor. He will be missed
May 23, 2015
I played hockey for Bob at Norwich. from 1961-1965 and will always remember him as a excellent and fair coach, a great family man, and a good friend. A few years ago, I enjoyed a special fishing trip with him and his nephew, Bob, when my wife and I visited the Cape. He will be remembered by my wife and I with great fondness.
Our condolences to Bob's family.
Joe and Dianne Fiacco
May 23, 2015
I worked for Bob at Norwich in 1977 when he was the Athletic Director and Head
Hockey Coach - he never mentioned his many accomplishments in life - such a wonderful, humble man. Years before, I babysat his children - my condolences to them. Linda Streeter Mitchell
The Staff of Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home
May 22, 2015
We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.
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