Bob Contant

Bob Contant, a retired carpenter and devoted family man, passed away unexpectedly after a short illness on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. He was 79 years old.

Bob was born in Gloucester. He grew up there until the age of 10, when his family moved to Peabody, where he later completed his education.

At just 17 years old, Bob enlisted in the Marines. While many were trying to avoid military service during the Vietnam War, Bob chose to serve-and he chose the Marines because they were "the first in and the last out." He served four years during the Vietnam War and earned the rank of Corporal. During his service, he spent nearly half his time overseas. He served as a tank crewman during his Vietnam tour and later as a Military Policeman in Hawaii.

He was the proud recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Award, Presidential Unit Citation, and Rifle and Pistol Expert Badges. Bob took great pride in his military service and in being a United States Marine.

It was during his military years that he first met his future wife, Anna. He walked into a soda shop where she worked behind the counter to visit a coworker. With his Marine uniform and striking presence, he was quite a catch. A romance quickly blossomed, and they were married on June 1, 1968, at St. Margaret's Church in Burlington.

Bob and Anna lived in several places before purchasing their forever home in Burlington 53 years ago. It was a modest home, but one they could afford-and with guidance from his father-in-law, Bob became remarkably skilled with his hands. Over the years, the house was a continuous project, filled with renovations, additions, and updates. He later passed that knowledge on to his son as he became a homeowner. Bob could tackle almost anything around the house-repairs, decks, plastering, furniture, or any project that required a hammer, a saw, and creativity. His last major project was helping his son roof his shed.

Bob worked for 15 years at General Foods in Woburn before moving into the construction industry. He worked for various builders, learning and mastering his craft, and eventually opened his own business, Contant Home Remodeling. He was an exceptional craftsman, and his finished carpentry was highly valued by his clients.

Bob had a wide variety of interests. He loved to sketch, and many of his drawings have become treasured family heirlooms. He enjoyed riding his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, often taking road trips with Anna and friends throughout New England-most were day trips, but some were overnight adventures. He also cherished simpler pleasures, like meeting up with his motorcycle friends at Dunkin' Donuts for a cup of coffee, which used far less gas than a long ride.

When his motorcycling days came to an end, he traded his bike for a convertible. He and Anna had a wonderful circle of friends, many of whom they traveled the world with. Together they visited Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico, continuing to travel until his illness made it no longer possible.

Bob considered himself a very lucky man. After years of battling kidney disease, he was blessed to receive a kidney transplant eight years ago. He saw those years as a gift from God and from a heartbroken family, and he tried to make the most of them. That gift allowed him to form a deep, meaningful bond with his grandsons. He helped care for them before school age, played games, taught them to draw, and let them be his helpers around the house. Bob cherished every moment, knowing it was an opportunity he once feared he might never have.

He faced many struggles, but none compared to the joy he received from his family. Bob was a hardworking, proud man with a heart of gold and a devotion to his family that was unmatched. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Bob was the beloved husband of 57 years of Anna M. (Riggle) Contant. He was the loving and supportive father of Michael Contant & his wife Tiniesha of Georgetown and the late Debra Contant who passed at the age of 20. He wanted his children to have a wonderful upbringing and the opportunities that he did not have when growing up. He was the proud "Grampy" of Alex and Lucas Contant. He was the brother of Brenda Williams of South Carolina. He was the brother-in-law of Wayne & Linda Riggle of FL, Kenny Riggle & his partner Linda of Lexington, and Donna Kelley of FL. He was also survived by nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, on Sunday, November 23 from 3-6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Home on Monday, November 24 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Burlington with Military honors.

Memorials in Bob's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Wounder Warriors Project, www.woundedwariorproject.org, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net