Obituary of Robert Bullock

Robert Plumber Bullock, Jr., owner of B & R Refrigeration, passed away at the U Mass Medical Center in Worcester on Saturday, January 30, 2010. He was 68 years old. Bob was born in Cambridge. He was raised and educated in Wayland. He was a graduate of Wayland High School class of 1960. He was a veteran serving his country in the United States Marines. Bob had a successful career as a Maintenance Technician and was the owner of B & R Refrigeration for 20 years. He was a fan of all sports and was most especially a race car enthusiast. When was in his 40’s he raced midget sprint cars and competed in races throughout New England. He was also a talented craftsman and enjoyed wood working. He made all sorts of furniture which have become family heirlooms. Bob was the beloved husband of Claudia (Walker). He was the loving father of Robert A. of Lakewood, OH, Randall and Susan both of Burlington. He was the son of Mary Bullock Carey of Forestdale and the late Robert Plumber Bullock, Sr. and step-son of the late Jack Carey. He was the brother of Bruce Bullock of Plymouth, Beverly Messersmith of Sandwich and Wayne Bullock of York, ME. He was the stepfather of Norma Dominque, Mike Dominque, and James Nocchi all of Millbury, Gary Dominque of Worcester and Rick Nocchi of Dudly. He was also survived by 11 grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Robert Bullock Family was important to Bob Growing up, weekends were always spent with family and extended family having cookouts, playing softball, swimming, and spending time together. Most relatives lived in the city and enjoyed coming to Wayland on weekends. Occasionally get-togethers were in Norfolk at Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Connie’s house. Christmas night was always in Somerville at Uncle Jim and Aunt Sena’s house. Always fun and very special times. When Bob got older if he was in Cambridge or Somerville he would stop in to visit his Aunts and Uncles periodically. Family was important. Bob always wanted to have a business of his own He started as a kid going into the woods picking princess pine, making Christmas wreaths, and selling them door to door. This was an annual project that became a family thing. He of course was in charge. His mother remembers one year he actually wore out a pair of shoes in the process of going back and forth into the woods; making enough money to buy gifts for everyone. With the help of his father he built two boats; a hydroplane and a motor boat. Bob recently stated that the Hydroplane was one of his biggest disasters. When the hydroplane was completed it was tied to the top of the roof of the car for the trip to the cape and its launching; the wind ripped it off the roof and it ended up in the grass in the medium strip of 128. He did salvage it; and not only did it float but it just whipped across the water Bob wanted to go into the Coast Guard, but for medical reasons he was denied, so he settled on the Marines, and after boot camp was stationed at the pentagon for guard duty. After his stint in the Marines he and Judy made ceramic Christmas trees to sell; they enlisted help from Elmer and Ruth Bigwood, Judy’s parents, her sisters, and Bob’s Dad. We came across home movies of the process; many of the Christmas trees are still around. He had his own Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Business, and was excellent at woodworking, and home improvement. It seems he always either had something torn apart, or a project going. This was something that continued throughout his life. When Bob’s kids were young we would gather on the weekends, whether it be up on the hill at the house in Marlboro by the lake, or later in Sterling. Dawn has a memory of Aunt Judy always in the kitchen, and the kids out in the woods on some contraption Bob had built in their back yard. There were fun times at the beach and lots of cookouts. Baseball games attended for Rob and Randy. Susan was a little lady, always dressed up, quite a contrast to her brothers. Bob was always there with a helping hand if anyone needed anything done. Bob liked to be in charge, THE BOSS. He didn’t much like anyone telling him what to do; thus his nickname from Tanya was THE FORMAN. There was one project he got really excited about; tearing down the house for Tanya & Keith so they could rebuild it. He had everyone in fear of it falling down around them all. When the first child of the next generation was born he made a cradle that was to be passed on as more babies came. The teddy bears never did get painted on; and it might have had a little squeak to it. He made and a lovely cedar chest for his mother. Then there was the famous (Bob and Phil working together) remodeling the kitchen at Bev and Phil’s house in Marlboro, At the end of one day of hard work and many breaks, you could actually stand in the kitchen, look up and see the sky. End of the day meant that a tarp had to be put over the ceiling for the night. Also the day one of the cabinets was opened and it came off the wall, fortunately it was caught. All worked out in both instances. Miraculously everyone remained on speaking terms; and the end result was a beautiful, large kitchen that was enjoyed by all. Bob lived his dream of owning a racecar. He had a mini sprint and raced in New Hampshire and Vermont. Rumor has it- when the car was running he came in first place once, and came in 2nd and 3rd on other occasions, with the help of something called two hundred mile and hour tape. Many holidays Bob and Claudia joined the Messersmith’s in Marlboro to gather with family, mostly because that’s where Mom was. Many times joined by his children. When Phil was in the hospital, Bob came to visit many times, and when he got out he stopped by often. If Bob thought he was needed he would be there. Bob wanted everyone to think he was this big tough guy, but as Norma said “he wasn’t. He was a real softy with a big heart. Always there if you needed him, asking nothing in return.” He enjoyed spending time with Ryan. If you needed help with something all you had to do was ask Bob. While Bob was getting his chemo treatments, not only did he drive himself to the hospital but he put himself aside and drove one of his stepsons to his chemo treatments as well. He loved his Family He loved his children and grandkids; he was proud of all of them. He talked about his kids and their children with me often; and while in the hospital he pointed out the coloring book pages the twins had made for him, Bob was a terrific brother; even as kids, he always had my back. If he could, he was always there for me if I needed him. I was blessed to be able to let him know that and how much I appreciated him. His comment was, “THAT’S WHAT FAMILIES DO.” Strangely I heard the same comment from Susan a few days earlier when we were talking about all she and Randy were doing to make sure Bob had the best care, comfort and help he needed. Her reply was “THAT’S WHAT FAMILIES DO”! Like all of us Bob perhaps didn’t always tell you or let you know it - but family was important to him. Bob is at peace now. I will miss my brother and my friend.