ROBERT LAWRENCE SHIRLEY

Bob was not only a comforting doctor but a good friend to all of us

Dr. Shirley saved my life 31 years ago, not only by correctly diagnosing my inflammatory breast cancer but by also strongly advising me that the best course of treatment was an aggressive bone marrow transplant experimental protocol. I would not be alive today, 31 years later, if I had followed the advice of the doctor with whom I had initially consulted who misdiagnosed me. I am deeply grateful to have met Dr. Shirley.

Bob and I played football together at Warren Junior High. We were both linemen. I will always remember in a game against Weeks Jr. High when he developed a defense of diving between the legs of the opposing offensive lineman and convinced me to do the same. It was very effective! I e-mailed Bob a couple of times when he was in the hospice and he e-mailed me back. At one of our high school reunions at Brae Burn Country Club I asked Bob if he still had the photo of our Warren Jr....

Bob saw my wife Catherine through the birth of our youngest daughter in 1988. I am spending this Thanksgiving in Vero Beach with that daughter, Whitney E. Greene III, and her husband and their gorgeous 14 month old daughter Aspen Catherine Huntsman. I suspect that he is looking down at all those many people he helped throughout his career of service. I planted a grove of Aspen trees in that grand- daughter's honor in Lancaster NH last Fall and will think of them as also a tribute to Bob. I...

I met Bob through his wife Althea's family and enjoyed a few Red Sox games with them in Bob's Fenway Park skyview seats. When my wife was expecting my 7th child in 1988 he took charge and gave us a beautiful daughter and we all cherish his memory.

Dr. Shirley was my doctor for a number of years. He was a wonderful human being and I trusted his medical advice 110%. I loved his conservative approach to issues. He had a great sense of humor and I know he will be missed by all that knew him.

It was a deeply personal memorial service for a wonderful man. Our family has known and loved Bob and his family for many, many years.

What a wonderful doctor. He helped us achieve our dream of a family and then delivered our 4 boys! We often talked about our mutual family: his grandmother, Helen, and my great grandmother, Mabel, were sisters. Rest in peace Bob after a life well lived.