Robert F. Hodge

Fitchburg, US Army Veteran of World War II

FITCHBURG -- Robert F. Hodge, 87, passed away at his residence October 17, 2010
Robert was born in Fitchburg on December 18, 1922 a son of the late Earl F. and Margaret (Cashman) Hodge. He was the beloved husband for 64 years of Winifred T. (Donlon) Hodge who survives him.

Mr. Hodge graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1941, where he was a standout athlete. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp immediately after graduation. He was a member of the Fifteenth Air Force, 454th Bombardment Group during World War II. He flew 52 missions over Europe and North Africa, including raids on the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Romania. He was the recipient of the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious service in flight and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Upon returning from Europe he attended Brown University where he majored in mathematics. While at Brown he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and played semi-professional baseball in St. Louis. He retired from Crocker Burbank, James River Co. and Weyerhaeuser Co in 1987 after 40 years as the Traffic Manager. He was a past President of the Paper Makers Union, a member of the Westminster Country Club and loved golfing.

Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters who will miss him dearly, Patricia E. Chabot and her husband Peter, Margaret M. Maki and her husband Stephen all of Fitchburg. Six grandchildren, Jude Chabot of Fitchburg, Thomas P. Chabot of Ashburnham, and Christopher R. Chabot of Hoschton GA, Catherine Maki, Meghan Maki, and Sean Maki all of Fitchburg, five great-grandchildren, a sister Margaret Anderson of Huston, TX, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Hodge is predeceased by a son Robert F. Hodge, Jr. in 1953 and a brother Raymond W. Hodge in 1978.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the center of his life and he spent many afternoons and evenings watching them play sports.

HODGE -- The Funeral will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, (www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhome.net), 243 Water Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Interment will follow in the Forest Hill Cemetery, 115 Mt. Elam Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. in the Funeral Home. Memorial Contributions can be made to the St. Bernard's Elementary School, 254 Summer Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 or to the St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School Athletic Fund, 45 Harvard Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420