Robert Fletcher Blakeley

Robert Fletcher Blakeley, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts and Cape Coral, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 1, 2026, at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital in Boston. He was 88 years old.

Bob was the beloved husband of the late Sylvia (Thorley) Blakeley, with whom he was married for 54 years. He was later the companion of the late Nancy Nichols of Cape Coral, Florida. Born on March 27, 1937, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was the only child of the late Helen and Albert Blakeley.

Bob graduated from The New Hampton School in Hampton, NH, in 1954. He went on to earn his A.B. (1958) and Master's (1959) degrees in History from Brown University, where he was a member of the men's varsity soccer team. Bob worked in public education for 38 years. He began his teaching career in 1959 as a high school teacher in Mechanicville, New York, before returning to Massachusetts in 1964 to teach history at Brockton High School. In 1972, Bob's career took him to the Bridgewater public schools where he served as an assistant principal and principal at the Williams Middle School before becoming the last Superintendent for the Bridgewater Public Schools. After the Bridgewater and Raynham public schools regionalized for grades K-12 in 1994, Bob became the Assistant Superintendent for Business for the Bridgewater Raynham Regional School District. He held that position until he retired in 1997.

Bob was a tireless and passionate leader in the Bridgewater community. He coached Little League baseball for more than 20 years, was a founding member of the Bridgewater Youth Soccer Program and was past director of the Bridgewater Biddy League Basketball Program. He also started and coached the Brockton High School Soccer Team while teaching at Brockton High. His commitment to education, athletics, and young people left a lasting impact on students and families. Bob was a big fan of all Boston sports teams. He was an avid golfer and member of Palmetto Pine Country Club in Cape Coral, Florida. He and Sylvia loved to travel evidenced by their visiting all 50 states and traveling throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Most of all, Bob cherished his time spent with family. Bob hosted Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner annually, including this past year. Bob is survived by his four sons: Robert (Karen) of Foxboro, MA David (Cecilia) of Taunton, MA and Ireland, Peter (Susan) of King of Prussia, PA, and Mark (Beth - predeceased) of Norton, MA. He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Caitlin (Matthew), Lauren, Nolan (Jackie), Dana (Jessica), Christopher (Lauren), Ryan, Megan, Katie, and Caroline, and three great-grandchildren Siobhan, Hope, and Keegan. Other survivors also include his brother-in-law and best friend Francis Thorley of Maryland and Cape Coral, sister-in-law Marie Thorley, of Pennsylvania, sister-in-law Pamela (Robert Thorley – Predeceased) of North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visiting hours on Tuesday, January 6th from 4-8 PM at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, 98 Bedford Street in Bridgewater. Burial will be private. Donations in memory of Bob may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.