Obituary of Robert Jankowski

Robert M. Jankowski passed away at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House, with his family by his side, on Sunday, July 7, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The beloved husband of Jennifer (Judson), he was 54 years old. Bob was born in Malden and was raised and educated in Wakefield. He was a 1977 graduate of Wakefield High School where he was the Manager of the Varsity Basketball Team. Bob was employed in the Scrap Metal Industry and worked at Tewksbury Industries Scrap Metal as well as Samuel Gordon’s along with his father Charlie, brother John, and many family members. He also worked at Walmart in Hudson as well as Twin Mountain Spring Water Co. Bob and Jennifer lived in Merrimack, NH before moving to Burlington 10 years ago where Bob became an active member of the community. Bob was a prominent member of Simonds Lodge AF & AM for over 27 years and was elected Worshipful Master in 1997 and 2008. He was honored to be selected as 2012’s Mason of the Year. Bob was also a member of the Eastern Star in Billerica for over 25 years. Bob was a huge sports fan, especially the Celtics and the Patriots, and was a former Patriots Season ticket Holder. He always looked forward to the Family Bowling Nights on Monday evenings in Malden, and his monthly poker game with his high school buddies. He never stopped loving the town where he was raised, enjoying jogs along Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. Bob had a very close relationship with his two sons, Matthew and Adam, and never missed one of their numerous sporting events; his sons played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. A devoted fan, he could be seen standing on the sidelines at all their football games. He volunteered much of his free time to the Pop Warner Football Program and was thrilled to see Matthew and Adam dress for the Varsity 2012 Thanksgiving Day Game. Bob, Jen and the boys enjoyed traveling and visited Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, and Chicago. A particular highlight was a family vacation together at Walt Disney World in Florida this past May. Bob and Jen had just celebrated their 29th Wedding Anniversary on June 16th. Bob was the beloved husband of Jennifer (Judson) and proud father of Matthew & Adam; he was the loving son of Charles & Joanna of Wakefield, brother of John & his wife Cheryl of New Ipswich, NH, and Kathleen of Londonderry, NH; he was the Son-in-law of Bruce & Judy Judson of Burlington, brother-in-law of Jill & David Heafey of Tewksbury, and Jerilyn & Jon Platon of Woburn; he was the godson of Ernest Jankowski & Rosalie Nutile; he is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral Services will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Marks Road, Burlington on Thursday, July 11 at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (Exit 34 off Route 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday from 4 – 8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s name may be made to Friends of Bob Jankowski, c/o Century Bank, 134 Cambridge St., Burlington, MA 01803.