Robert J. Blair

1951 - 2018

Robert Jay Blair, 67, of Chester, passed away unexpectedly at his longtime home on Saturday, June 30. Bob was born on March 2, 1951 in Middletown, the first child to Robert James Blair and the late Mildred Anna (Zuppe) Blair – Millie. He attended Chester Elementary School and graduated from Valley Regional High School in 1969 and Middlesex Community College in 1971. He married his wife, Rosemary Starr (Fargo) Blair, on March 18, 1978. Rosemary was the love of his life and the couple recently celebrated 40 years of marriage (and had dated for six years before that). Bob was a proud rural mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service in Chester for 35 years, receiving an award for having driven more than a million miles without an accident. He took great care with his customers and worked in all weather conditions. When Bob retired in 2006, town officials declared it "Bob Blair Jr. Day." But Bob was most proud of his sons, Robert Johnson Blair and Russell William Blair, who he always made time for despite long hours and often six-day workweeks. He taught them countless lessons, including an appreciation for life's simpler things. Bob was also a constant companion to his father, and the two could often be seen running errands together or otherwise generally palling around. He loved his sister Laurie very much and the pair had many good memories growing up together. In retirement, Bob enjoyed researching classic cars and music, television and movies from the 1950s and 1960s. He and Rosemary loved to travel, including a memorable trip to California where the pair got lost driving around Los Angeles after midnight. In addition to his wife, sons, father and sister Bob is survived by a daughter-in-law, Kris Pollock; a grandson, Burt Pollock Blair; two uncles, John Zuppe and Bob Zuppe; a brother-in-law, Kurt Fargo; a sister-in-law, Eileen (Fargo) Dallas; a niece and nephew; countless cousins; many more friends; and Victoria, who was the latest in a long line of cats he showered with love. He was predeceased by his mother, Millie. A private burial will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Chester followed by a memorial service on July 16 at 6 p.m. at the Deep River Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob's memory to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. at www.vik9s.org or by mail to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.