Obituary of Robert P. Sharland

Robert P. Sharland, a retired Engineer from RCA, passed away at his home on Saturday morning, April 14, 2018. The beloved husband of Jane (Fiore) he was 82 years old. Bob was born and raised in Dorchester. He was one of 5 sons born to the late Sidney and Eleanor Sharland. He was a graduate of Boston Trade High School. Bob would meet his future wife Jane on a blind date in 1957. They married in St. Peter’s Church in Dorchester in 1958. Bob served his country in the United States National Guard for approximately 7 years. Bob and Jane lived in Dorchester when they were first married and moved to Burlington in 1964. He had a long and successful career as an Electronics Engineer at RCA. He retired after 35 years of service to RCA. While balancing work and family he took on the challenge of continuing his education. Bob would work during the day and in the evenings attend Northeastern University and after 10 years he received his Bachelor’s Degree. At the age of 16 Bob became a motorcycle enthusiast. He owned a Honda Gold Wing Motorcycle, which was considered the “cadillac of motorcycles”. Bob and Jane enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada by motorcycle. They also took a number of bus tours across the United States. When their children were young family vacations consisted of camping. Bob was a devote Catholic and a longtime member of St. Malachy’s Church in Burlington. He loved his church family and cared so much about the future of his church. He always looked out for the best interests of the church giving advice on ways to help the church grow, improve and succeed. During his retirement years Bob was not one to sit idle. He volunteered his time to help drive seniors to doctor’s appointments. He loved his job and interacting with the seniors. Bob even took the time to make a “stepstool” to help his passengers get in and out of the van. His family was the core of his life. The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing and Bob certainly had that. He led a full and rich life with a wonderful 60 year marriage to his wife Jane. He was proud of his four children and their accomplishments. He was blessed to see them all marry and have families of their own. Bob’s greatest joy was the birth of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was very involved in their lives. He followed all their activities and whenever possible was there to cheer them on. Bob enjoyed hosting holidays in his home and in recent years always looked forward to going to his children’s homes for the holidays as they took over the traditions. Bob leaves the greatest legacy one can pass on to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, a legacy of family and faith. Bob was the beloved and devoted husband of 60 years of Jane (Fiore). Loving father of Jean Perry & her husband Kevin of Burlington, Steven & his wife Violet of Nashua, NH, Joan Paladino & her husband Michael of Hudson, NH and Richard & his wife Jennifer of Hudson, NH. Proud grandfather of Nicole McDonagh, Joshua Perry, Victoria, Logan & Shane Sharland, Rachel, Elizabeth & Lisa Paladino and Carrie Neurohr. Great grandfather of Lily & Owen McDonagh. Brother of Kenneth of Bridgewater, Lawrence of Kingston and the late Donald and George. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt., 128/95 Woburn side) on Thursday, April 19 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St. Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Bob’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org or the Cam Neely House, C/O The Cam Neely Foundation, 30 Winter St., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 www.camneelyfoundation.org