Robert E. Mason

1946 - 2026

Robert E. Mason (Bob, Boppa) 79, of Barrington and Riverside died peacefully Friday January 9, 2026. He was the husband to Deborah R. (Wass) Mason. He was born in Providence a son of the late Edward and May (MacDuff) Mason and was a step-son of the late Royce R. Smith. Bob graduated from East Providence High School in 1964 and received a BS Degree in Education from RIC in 1968 as an Industrial Arts Teacher. He also graduated with "Honors" from New England School of Embalming & Funeral Directing in Boston in 1969 completing a two year program in one year, being licensed in RI in 1970. Bob joined the Royce R. Smith Funeral Home now Smith-Mason Funeral Home, Inc. in 1966 and spent 57 years serving the people. He was a member of the Barrington Yacht Club Where he served On the Board of Directors for 12 years. He was a Past Master Councilor of Loyalty Chapter Order of DeMolay in Riverside. He was also a member of the Barrington Lions Club and was King Lion when the Club initiated the "Maddie Fund' to restore the sight of a child in Barrington whose family had no Insurance at that time. He was an active member of the Barrington Congregational Church serving on most of the committees of the Church. A talented woodworker and builder, he had maintained a building business and built furniture and wooden toys and boats for most of his life along with his father, his uncle, Bob MacDuff, and son Mark. Bob's other interests included sailing, boating, cooking especially his apple pie and helping people. Always interested in Education, Bob volunteered as an after school woodworking teacher at the Barrington Middle School. Bob's fondest memories were of those years spent with his grandchildren and growing up on Salt Pond where he summered for 17 years living on Great Island until his father died in 1963. Besides his wife he leaves a daughter, Katherine Mason MD of Barrington, a son and his wife, Mark and Diane Mason of Barrington, and 6 grandchildren Connor, Liam, Camden Siwik and Hannah, Haley, Matthew Mason. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Amedisys (Beacon Hospice) 1 Catamore Blvd. East Providence RI 02914 Burial was in in Forest Chapel Cemetery in Barrington. Please visit www.smithmason.com for online condolences.