Robert W. Hoag
President of Walton & Lonsbury, Attleboro
Active Communicant of Holy Ghost Church, Attleboro
Robert Walter Hoag, 69, of Birch Street, Attleboro died on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at the Evergreen House in East Providence, Rhode Island following a brave health battle for the past year. He was the much loved husband of Mary A. (O’Keefe) Hoag, a kindergarten teacher for the City of Attleboro School Department at the Willett School, to whom he was married on July 3, 1965.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts on March 13, 1937, he was a son of the late John Walter and Helen G. (Guilfoil) Hoag. Raised and educated in Worcester, he was a 1955 graduate of South High School in Worcester and received his degree in chemical engineering from Worcester Poly Tech in 1959 and earned his master’s degree in business management from the University of Rhode Island.
Mr. Hoag was currently the president of Walton & Lonsbury in Attleboro since 1989. He was a member of the New England Chapter of the National Association of Metal Finishers having served as president from 2001 – 2002 and as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors from 2002 – 2004.
He moved to Attleboro 40 years ago from Worcester and also maintained a summer residence at Matunuck Beach.
A man of strong religious convictions, he was a longtime communicant of Holy Ghost Church in Attleboro where he served in numerous capacities including member and president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, CCD teacher for 34 years, with his wife he taught marriage preparedness classes for 10 years and was the recipient of the Marian Medal awarded to him in 1986 by then Bishop Daniel F. Cronin of the Fall River Diocese.
He was a faithful and dedicated viewer of Boston Catholic television and said the Rosary daily, often remembering those whom were actually in better physical condition that himself during his recent illness.
A longtime member of the Attleboro Rotary Club, he served on the organization’s Board of Directors and had numerous committee assignments.
Following the Rotarian motto of “service above self” he truly exemplified that slogan through the generous donation of his time to community initiatives such as church events, programs at the Willett School and the Literacy Center in Attleboro.
His family and friends will remember with fondness his example of courage, bravery and his optimistic attitude these past several months since the onset of his illness.
The legacy of which he was most proud was not of his professional accomplishments or community service but that of the success of his children and in recent years his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife of 40 years, he leaves a son: Michael R. Hoag and his wife, Anita (Angelo) Hoag, of Louisville, Kentucky and Dr. Erinn Marie Hoag Goldman, PhD. and her husband, Brad Goldman, of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren: Andrew and Katharine Hoag both of Louisville, Kentucky and Justin Keefe Goldman and Edward Robert Goldman both of Atlanta, Georgia ; a brother: William Hoag of Worcester; two sisters: Anna Hoag of Shrewsbury and Nancy Kelly of Oxford and several nieces and nephews. He was the much respected son-in-law of the late Edward J. and Agnes Marie (Donoghue) O’Keefe.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service on Monday, June 5, 2006 at 8:45 AM from the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street (exit 3A off I-95 S, merge onto South Avenue/Route 123E, South Avenue becomes Thacher St., go through light at County Square, Linden Street 3rd street on the right), Attleboro, with the Rev. John Raposo, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Attleboro.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2006 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
Children’s room available during visitation and the funeral service.
Following graveside services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of refreshment and fellowship.
Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Hoag’s name and memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, Attleboro, MA 02703.
To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit our on-line guest book located on the internet on our website at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com
Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
(508) 695-0200.
