Robert M. Alexis

Robert M. Alexis
1930 - 2023
Chicopee
On July 29, Robert M. (Bob) Alexis escaped the bonds of earth to rejoin his bride, Janet.
Bob recently celebrated his 93rd birthday. Although he had suffered a stroke in late 2016, he lived a happy and independent life in Chicopee. Prior to his move to Chicopee, Bob and his late wife lived in New Port Richie Florida and Southwick, MA. They raised their family in Westfield and lived there the majority of their adult lives.
Bob was born in Springfield to immigrant parents. Angelos John Alexis had come to the US from Greece, and worked in the restaurant business. While in Springfield, Angelos met Syma Raskhodoff and they married and started a family. Bob and a twin brother George were born on July 2, 1930 in Springfield. The family moved to Bristol, NH, where Angelos became part owner of the Bristol Diner.
When Bob was in his early teens, the family moved back to Springfield. Bob and George became regulars at the Springfield Airport. This period gave Bob his lifelong passion for airplanes.
He took a job as a mechanic at a Ford garage in Springfield, and while working there, met a young lady named Janet Roberts at a friend's party. From then on, there was nobody else. He got called up by Uncle Sam to serve, and managed to squeeze in getting married. He served 2 years and was proud of his service in Europe during the Korean War. After his return to Springfield, Bob worked for Springfield Auto Electric, and then for Allen Lawnmower as their senior mechanic for many years. While working full time, Bob went to classes at night and earned a degree in teaching from Westfield State.
With his degree, Bob moved to teaching; he taught a shop class for a short time at East Longmeadow High and then found his calling at Westfield Vocational High School teaching the Auto shop class. During these years, he converted a commercial Chevy van into a camper van and also completely restored a 1969 Triumph TR6. The Chevy van made several memorable cross-country trips. Eventually, they settled in a travel park in New Port Richie, FL, and summered in Southwick, MA. While in Florida, Bob was active building and flying Radio Controlled aircraft.
After Janet died in January, 2014, Bob relocated to Chicopee, closer to family, where he has lived since.
Bob is survived by his three daughters, Cheryl and her husband Kirby Thomas of Somis, CA, Patricia and her husband Wayne Thresher of Wilbraham, and Ellyn and her husband Joseph Curto of Chicopee. He also has 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A Service for both Robert Alexis and Janet M (Roberts) Alexis will be held at the Agawam Veterans' Cemetery on September 27 at 1:00 PM. Donations may be made to the New England Air Museum, at https://neam.org/pages/donation-page.