Robert L. Abare

Robert L. Abare, 86, of Acton, died Sun. Oct. 9, 2011 at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington. Born May 11, 1925, Robert was the beloved son of the late Louis N. and Helen (Corbett) Abare of Winchendon, MA. He was married to Claire Y. (Girouard) Abare of Acton, with whom he recently celebrated their anniversary of 64 years. He leaves his three sons, James R. Abare and wife Ann of Gardner, MA, Louis A. Abare and wife Suz of Methuen, MA and Thomas D. Abare and wife Deborah of Lunenburg, MA. He also leaves his brother, Norman, his wife, Marie, and their family of Winchendon; a sister Marilyn, also of Winchendon, as well as 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his son, Gary L. Abare of Acton.

Robert served in the U.S. Navy during WW II from 1943-45 with active time on the USS Bailey in the South Pacific. He began his career with his family's appliance business, and while working for his father he became a member of the Winchendon Town Selectman Committee where he served for 1950-59. He was a life member of the American Legion Eugene M. Connor Post 193 in Winchendon.

After an attempt to become a Representative to the Massachusetts House, he became part of the Kennedy Administration in 1960 where he joined the ICC in Washington, DC. During his 20 years career with ICC, he served in a multitude of positions. In 1980, he retired from the ICC as Regional Director in Boston. Throughout his career, Robert was an avid supporter of the Democratic Party, where served as a Sergeant at Arms at the 1960 Democratic National Convention. He was an active member of the Federal Executive Board where he worked to raise millions of dollars for the United Way and other charities.

In 1977, Robert was enrolled in the Harvard University School of Management in the Advanced Management Program, where he served as the life-long Secretary-Treasurer for the Class of 75th AMP. Robert was a loyal and enthusiastic fan of the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Football Team, and member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Acton.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Thurs., Oct. 13th from 2-4pm & 6-8pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111), Acton. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Fri., Oct. 14th at 10am in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 89 Arlington Street, Acton, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery, Glenallen Street, Winchendon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made made to either Lazarus House Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 408, Lawrence, MA 01842, on-line at

http://www.lazarushouse.org/financial-gifts or to the charity of one's choice. On-line guest book at:

actonfuneralhome.com