Robert H. MacEwen

1926 - 2025

Robert H. MacEwen, 99, of Westford died peacefully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. He had been surrounded by the comfort and embrace of his family when his heart of gold stopped beating. He was the cherished husband and soulmate of Claire (McJunkin) MacEwen who predeceased him in 1992, with whom he shared 41 years of a loving and devoted marriage.

A proud WWII Navy veteran, he served our country honorably on the hospital ship Tranquility as a radio man. His ship was dispatched to the Palau Islands to pick up survivors after the Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine, (shortly after delivering components for the atomic bomb to the island of Tinian) transporting the survivors to Guam. 

Bob and Claire raised their three children in Lexington, MA. Both were devoted members of Calvary Methodist Church in Arlington, where they met on a church sponsored hayride. Bob was also a member of the Masons, later becoming a very active member of the Shriners. He spent Tuesday nights with a bowling league and Wednesday nights at choir rehearsal with his wife Claire. Most family vacations were to his beloved Prince Edward Island, Canada where both of his parents were born.

After graduating from Emerson College, he spent his career working for the City of Lynn School System. He was a modest man who always put his family first.

In later years, he enjoyed twenty wonderful years living with his partner Joan Beaton in Dartmouth MA. They enjoyed local concerts, bike riding and wonderful trips to Alaska, Scotland, The Canadian Rockies and Idaho where Joan was from. 

Bob was also a talented oil painter which was an activity that rescued him in his loneliness after losing Claire. Bob’s quick wit and sense of humor kept his audience laughing.

Bob’s memory will live on through his children, Robert H. MacEwen Jr. of Northfield, Gail Sovie and her husband Dean of Maynard and Laurie Hatch of Billerica. His eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who will always cherish their memories of Pops.

He often commented on what a lucky man he was to live such a long life, although the price of that was seeing so many of his extended family and virtually all of his friends go before him. Through it all, he never lost his zest for life. 

Interment will be private at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.