Obituary of Robert Dignan

Robert A. Dignan, a retired manager at Raytheon, passed away at the Aberjona Nursing Care Facility in Winchester on Sunday morning, April 29, 2007 after a long illness. He was 81 years old. Born in Dorchester, he was the son of the late Arthur and Mary Dignan. He grew up in Melrose and spent summers with his family at Little Neck in Ipswich. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s School in Melrose, Boys' (now Malden) Catholic High School, and Boston College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1951. He was manager of unemployment compensation and worker's compensation at Raytheon's corporate headquarters in Lexington where he was a 34-year employee. Prior to attending BC, he served with the United States Coast Guard Reserve during World War II. He served aboard the troop transport USS General M.C. Meigs in the Atlantic and European Theaters of Operation, and the USS Cepheus, an attack cargo ship, in the Pacific Theater, earning three battle stars. Bob’s life was focused on his religious faith and family. He was an active member of St. Malachy’s and St. Margaret’s Churches in Burlington. He was a religious education teacher at St. Malachy’s Church. He had a strong connection with St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, MA. He was one of the founding fathers of the Westbridge School in Lexington and served as the local Chairman of the Catholics United for the Faith. He also was a member of the American Legion. He was devoted to his wife Fran who passed away suddenly in 1998. He was a loving and proud father and he cherished his 3 grandchildren. Bob was the beloved husband of the late Frances Ann (Shea) Dignan. He was the loving father of Robert A. Dignan, Jr. & his wife Sheila of Amesbury, Maura K. Boucher & her husband Roger of N. Andover, and Lt. Commander Christopher S. Dignan, USN, of Norfolk, VA. He was the brother of Martha Gregory of Concord, Cynthia, Judith, & Ruth Dignan all of Scarborough, ME, and the late Mary Dignan. He was the devoted grandfather of James Dignan, Elizabeth & Matthew Boucher. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, May 3 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Stoneham. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s name may be made to the St. Benedict Abbey, P.O. Box 67, Still River, MA 01467.