July 10, 1937 — December 16, 2023
Robert F. Haggerty, Jr., age 86, of Stoneham, formerly of Winchester, died Saturday, December 16, at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington.
He was born in Melrose on July 10, 1937, and was the son of the late Robert F. Haggerty, Sr. and Dorothy L. (Garvey) Haggerty.
Bob was raised in Winchester and graduated from Winchester High School, Class of 1956, where he was a standout athlete in both football and baseball. He had worked for and retired from the Teamsters Local 25 as a truck driver. He was a proud US Marine, having served his country from 1959 – 1963; he was also a member of the Marine baseball team. Bob enjoyed sports throughout his lifetime as both a participant and a fan. In his early years, he played men’s league softball and remained a fan of college and professional sports, especially Boston College and Notre Dame football.
Bob was a friend to many and enjoyed sitting on his side porch with a glass of wine, welcoming all who stopped by for a chat. Wednesday was his favorite night of the week. On Wednesday, his brother-in-law Stevie came by to deliver a meal prepared by his beloved sister Nancy. They settled the five-dollar bet from the previous week’s Patriots game and discussed all the important things in life over a cold Coors Light.
For Bob, family was not just a word; it was the cornerstone of his life. He was a dedicated family man who took great joy in recounting the unique personalities and achievements of each of his three children and seven grandchildren. His unwavering devotion to his wife, Betty, was a remarkable example of the power of love.
Bob met and fell in love with Betty Landers while she was visiting from Ireland, and the two would marry in 1964 at St. Mary’s Church, settle in Winchester for a time, start their family, and eventually move to Stoneham in 1968. Together they were longtime parishioners of St. Patrick Church. They also enjoyed summer vacations to Cape Cod and their annual anniversary trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Bob was the beloved husband of the late Catherine “Betty” E. (Landers), with whom he shared 58 wonderful years of marriage. He was the loving father of Kelma Dever and her husband James of Harwich, Patricia Dwyer and her husband Joseph of Reading, and Sean Haggerty and his wife Jeanette of Windham, NH. He was the cherished grandfather of Katie and Maggie Dever, Meghan and Patrick Dwyer, and Alana, Kaelyn, and Brayden Haggerty. He was the brother of Richard Haggerty and his wife Theresa of Eastham and Nancy Meehan and her husband, Stephen of Reading. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Thursday, December 21 from 4-7pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham on Friday, December 22 at 10am. A private interment for family will take place at Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.
