Robert W. Corthell Jr.

Robert W. Bob Corthell Jr., 92, of Bridgewater, formerly of Whitman, passed away Friday Jan. 9, at Life Care Center of Raynham, following a period of failing health. He was the beloved husband of Frances (Pietrowski) for 64 years. Born, raised and educated in Whitman he was the son of the late Robert and Margaret (Hayes) and a graduate of Whitman High School, Class of 1941. Upon graduation he joined the Merchant Marines, and then enlisted in the US Army serving his country during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign mainly on the islands of New Guinea, Bora Bora and the Philippines from 1942 - 1946. He then worked as a sponge diver in Tarpon Springs, Fla. before launching his career as an iron worker. He worked in New Jersey, Iceland and New England on projects including the Tobin Bridge and the John Hancock Tower. He was proud to be a member of Iron Workers Union, Local #7. In his retirement, Bob enjoyed reading about current events, researching his interests on his home computer, working with stained glass and tinkering in his basement workshop. But his greatest joy was spending time with his 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Frances he is survived by his 5 children Michael Corthell and wife Mary, Colleen Mills and husband John, Jane Kilfoyle, Robert Corthell and wife MaryAnn, and Elizabeth Putnam and husband Matthew. He was predeceased by his daughter Roseanne, his brother Richard and his sisters Alberta Asack, Barbara Lounge and Mary Benson. He also leaves behind grandchildren; Matt Corthell and Ginger, Dan Corthell and Tara, Adam Corthell, Kaitlyn Corthell, Shaun Kilfoyle and Danielle, Michael Kilfoyle, Eva and Ethan Putnam, Kaia Corthell and Jason Mills and Anna, as well as great-grandchildren Teagan and Gavin Corthell and Alexis and Max Mills, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 9:45 a.m. from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary), Whitman, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Rockland. Visiting hours will be held Monday, Jan. 12, at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 4 - 8 p.m. For online condolences and directions please visit www.blanchardfc.com.