Robert Kilinski

1945 - 2013

Robert D. Kilinski, 68

AUBURN - Robert D. Kilinski, 68, of Auburn, was surrounded by his loving family when he died peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester, following a courageous fight with Leukemia.

He leaves his beloved wife of 43 years, Elaine R. (Yuknavich) Kilinski; his two loving children, Joseph R. Kilinski and his wife Janelle of Mount Laurel, NJ and Mary Beth Kilinski-Petrucci and her husband Louis of North Scituate, RI; his mother, Helen S. (Kozlowski) Kilinski of Worcester; and his brother, John S. Kilinski, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV. He was the son of the late John S. Kilinski. Bob was born and raised in Worcester and graduated from South High School. He then attended the former Worcester Junior College, and later graduated from Clark University where he earned his BA in Management. Bob served in the US Navy during the Vietnam Era, and was stationed aboard the U.S.S. WASP. While on the WASP, the crew took part in the Cuban Missile Crisis and was the later the ship that rescued and recovered several of the astronauts with the Gemini Space Program. He was appointed a member of the MISTROGS representing that honor. Bob spent his entire working career in the banking business. He began his career with the former Worcester County National Bank in Southbridge and then worked for several other banks before settling with Savers Bank for the last 15 years, his favorite place. He served as the branch manager of the Auburn Branch and then became head of security services for all the banks before retiring. Bob was a member and past treasurer of the Rotary Club of Auburn. An avid outdoorsman, Bob loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed target shooting. He was a member of the Auburn Sportsman's Club. Another of his great passions was his talent in model building. He built dozens of them over the years, including a 9 foot replica of the ship his father served on during World War II, the U.S.S. MISSOURI. He was also a member of the Auburn Council, Knights of Columbus and the John Cardinal Wright Assembly, Fourth Degree. The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to the staff of the 5th and 6th floors of the Ambulatory Care Center for all their kindness and expertise in caring for Bob. Also, a heartfelt "thank you" to all the doctors and staff at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the University Campus of UMass Memorial Hospital. They are most grateful for your compassion and level of excellence in exploring every possible path to help Bob overcome AML.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bob's family on Wednesday, October 16th from 5-8 PM in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn. The family will gather at the funeral home on Thursday, October 17th at 9:15 AM and then celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward Street, Worcester. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the UMMF-NATH-Bone Marrow Transplant Program, UMass Medicine Development Office, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or to Our Lady of Czestochowa Church Building Fund, 34 Ward Street, Worcester, MA 01610. To leave a message of condolence for the family or view the Book of Memories, please visit

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