Robert C. Ritchie

79, of Braintree, MA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Bob was the husband of Irene Bondaryk Ritchie, his beloved wife of 57 years. He was the son of the late Ethel Egan Ritchie of Quincy. Born in Long Island City (Queens), NY on Apr 2, 1929, he grew up in Quincy's Adams Shore. He attended Quincy Trade High School resuming his education and graduating in 1948 after service with the U.S. Navy during and immediately following WWII from which he was an honorably discharged disabled veteran. Largely self-taught, he also attended engineering and managerial courses, including at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Harvard, MIT and Babson College, and participated in continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities throughout his career. He resided in Quincy and later in Dorchester and as a resident of Braintree for 49 years. He met Irene shortly after returning to the Boston area from service with the Navy and they were married in 1951. Bob began his working career at Fore River Shipyard, then as a draftsman at the firm of Thomas Worcester Co, and then Boston Air Conditioning Co. which later became BALCO and then Energy Systems Industries, Inc., rising to the positions of application engineer, sales engineer, Vice President of Service, Vice President of Sales, Corporate General Manager, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, President/Chief Executive Officer, & Chairman of the Board growing the company to the largest HVAC firm in New England and national industry prominence. He was a Licensed Master Pipefitter and Master Gas Fitter. He was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts to the state Bureau of Pipefitters and Refrigeration Technicians and to the Gas Regulatory Board. A longtime member, and chairman from 1971-1974, of the Quincy Vocational Technical School Advisory Committee where he spearheaded cutting edge changes to technical education. He served on the Boston Chamber of Commerce Committee for Energy and the Environment, and as an employer-member of Union Local 537 Joint Apprenticeship Committee for 12 years. He was a life member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (AHRAE) and a member of Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) serving on the Board of Directors for 8 years and Executive Committee for 4 years, and was recipient of ACCA's 1982 "Spirit of Independence Award." Also a member of the National Environmental Systems Contractors Association (NESCA) and Chairman of NESCA's Task Force on Commercial/Industrial Energy Conservation. Additional industry affiliations include membership with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors of Boston, serving as chairman for 2 years and with the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, including 2 years as President of the local chapter. Under his leadership BALCO/ESII was awarded the 1982 "Contracting Business" Magazine nationwide "Contractor of the Year". He served on the magazine's Editorial Board of Advisors and in 1994 was inducted into the Magazine's "Contractor Hall of Fame". He was also awarded Carrier Corporation's Certificate of Achievement and was a 1992 nominee and finalist, "Inc. Magazine" "Entrepreneur of the Year". A champion of customer-service, quality performance and personal contact, he was a frequent lecturer at industry conferences and he served as a committee chairman for the Center for Quality Management (CQM), Cambridge, MA. He was the originator of a patented process of industrial refrigeration technology to increase productivity of injection molding machinery. Bob will be remembered as a loving & devoted family man who cherished faith, family, friends and laughter above all. He was kind, generous, caring and opened his heart to all. Bob was an active supporter for Children's Hospital, 590 Fund for the Homeless, Boston Police Athletic Association, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Wentworth Institute, Black Employment and Education Journal, Boston Fireman's Relief, Prostate Cancer Research, DAV, VFW, Braintree Knights of Columbus, and Catholic Charities. He was a Prostate Support Group member and leader and coach of South Braintree Little League Baseball. A former altar boy in Quincy, he was also active at Saint Clare Parish, Braintree as a member of the Holy Name Society, Building Committee and as a lectern. He loved playing piano and was an avid sailor, skier and golfer and longtime member of Wollaston Golf Club, Milton and its senior golf league team. In addition to his loving wife Irene, he is survived by his three children: Patricia Ritchie O'Sullivan and her husband Paul O'Sullivan, Jr. of Melbourne, FL; Robert J. Ritchie and his wife Mary of Farragut, TN; and Thomas J. Ritchie & his wife Elizabeth of Hanover, MA. Four grandchildren: Paul F. O'Sulivan III and his wife Ana of Los Angeles, CA; Mark Ritchie and Rebecca Ritchie of Hanover, MA; and Robert G. Ritchie of Farragut, TN. He is also survived by many cousins and dear friends. Reposing at the Cartwright-Venuti Funeral Home, 845 Washington St., BRAINTREE until 10:15 AM on Tuesday followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in St. Clare Church, 1244 Liberty Street, Braintree. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Burial in Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy. Memorial donations may be made to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, 1154 Fifteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20005, www.fightprostatecancer.org. For additional information, directions or to leave a sympathy message visit our website www.cartwrightfuneral.com