Obituary of Robert Canales

Robert Canales, a WW II veteran and 61 year resident of Burlington passed away after a short illness on Friday morning, November 7, 2014. He was 94 years old. Robert was born in Boston the son of the late Emanuel and Eunice Canales. He grew up and was educated in Allston. He enlisted in the service and first served in Africa under the British before the United States official entrance into WW II. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a Tech SGT overseeing the maintenance and safety of the US fighter planes and bombers. He fought in Italy, France, and all the way to Germany. He served to the very end of the war and received numerous commendations including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart as well as the Good Conduct MEdal, Unit Citatio and European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He continued his support for the US Military as a Life Member and Past Commander of the American Legion in Burlington. After the war he married his wife Catherine in 1948 and they settled on Wilmington Road Burlington in 1953. In 1953 Burlington was just a small farming community and he was only 1 of 4 houses on Wilmington Road which at that time was only a half paved street. He worked as a Machinist at BF Goodrich in Watertown for a long period. He then switched to BASF Corporation in Bedford where he worked as a foreman until his retirement. He was a lifetime member, 59 years, of the Friendship Lodge of the Masons in Wilmington. He and his wife took up golf after he retired and they enjoyed playing at the Billerica Country Club. Robert was a very independent and private man throughout his life. Although he saw extensive action during the World War II, he never talked about it. He enjoyed reading with Newsweek, Time, and National Geographic being his favorite magazines. On television, he enjoyed CNN, the History Channel, and educational programs. He enjoyed traveling with wife visiting New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, and Florida being some his favorite destinations. He was seen all around town walking with his Siberian Husky and loving companion, “King.” He walked six miles a day up until he was 90. He really loved yard work and was able to maintain his own property until his passing. He was fortunate to live 94 years filled with good health and family. Robert was the loving husband of the late Catherine H. (Fearebay). He was the loving father of Janet Carroll & her husband Robert of Tewksbury and Robert Canales Jr, & his wife Gail of Burlington. He was the proud grandfather of Kelley Kondrat, Tracey Grygiel, David, William, Melissa, and James Carroll, Holly Bushee, Jaime, Matthew, and Robert Canales, III, and the late Robert Carroll. He was also blessed to have 19 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Robert’s name may be made to a charity of one’s own choice.