Obituary of Robert F. Lightbown

Robert F. Lightbown, 85, of West Peabody, died Saturday at his residence after a short illness. He was the husband of Frances (Shaw) Lightbown with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. He was born in Winthrop, MA on December 25, 1927, the son of the late Frederick and Dorothy (Samuels) Lightbown and was raised in Melrose graduating from MelroseHigh School in 1946. He entered the US Army and had been stationed in Korea prior to his discharge in 1947.He then enrolled at the FeenerTechnicalSchool in Boston receiving his associate degree in 1949. Bob joined the General Electric Company at the River Works plant, Lynn starting as a draftsman and worked there for 38 years retiring as a manager in 1987. For the past 20 years he and his wife wintered in Zepher Hills, Florida where he served on the board of directors at their condominium association. He enjoyed being active outdoors and for many years went camping throughout New England with his family. He enjoyed both sailing his boat in the summer and ice boating in the winter at LakeQuannapowitt in Wakefield. He had been an avid golfer playing with his fellow GE associates at The Meadows golf course in Topsfield. He also belonged to the GE Bowling league and had been a member of the ELFUN Society of General Electric. Robert had been a member of the Jordan Lodge of Masons A.F. & A.M. of Peabody for 53 years. He is survived by his wife Frances, his four sons, Alan and his wife Christine Lightbown of Georgetown, MA, Barry and his wife Donna Lightbown of Bartlett, NH, Steven Lightbown of Middleton and Brian and his wife Mary Lightbown of Peabody, 14 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. A Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His funeral service will be held there on Friday, August 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM. With Rev. Ralph Wetherington of the West Congregational Church, Peabody officiating. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, West Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 in his memory.