Obituary for Robert E. Lee
Pittsfield: Robert E. Lee, 85, a longtime resident of Joseph Drive passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 after a short illness. Bob was a loving husband, dad, grampa, great grampa, brother and friend to all. He was affectionally known by many as “The General”.
Born in Pittsfield on August 5, 1936, he was the oldest son of the late Daniel R. Lee and Helen Dowling Lee. Bob grew up on Congress Street in Pittsfield and was a regular in all the neighborhood baseball games and activities.
He was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1954 graduate of Pittsfield High School. After graduation he joined the Apprentice Program at General Electric which began an outstanding career in Drafting, Field Engineering and Product Support. Bob was proud of his work in the Charleston Navy Yard and overseas in Holy Loch, Scotland where he worked tirelessly on the Trident, Polaris and Poseidon Weapon Systems. His career in the Ballistic Missile Program spanned forty-two years and he remained loyal to the mission as GE evolved into Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. He never passed up the opportunity to reminisce about his many friends and associates at work. He reluctantly retired from General Dynamics in 1999.
Never one to sit still, Bob transitioned upon retirement to serving as a Campaign Volunteer for Berkshire United Way for over ten years where he went into the office every day. While at United Way he was recognized as the 2002 Thomas F. Cooney 10th Player Award recipient as an outstanding campaign volunteer. In 2003 and 2008 he was the recipient of the Community Volunteer Award and the Distinguished Volunteer Award respectively. Bob was passionate about his work at United Way and made many friends as he traveled throughout the Berkshire’s visiting area companies and businesses to promote United Ways core values.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Dalton and a longtime communicant of the former St. Teresa Church in Pittsfield where he was very active as a Eucharistic Minister, and Funeral Altar Server. He also served as the Bazaar Chairman for many years and as a member on the Parish Council and CCD Board.
A member of the GE Quarter Century and Pensioner’s Clubs, Bob’s greatest joy was attending his grandchildren’s school, dance, cheerleading and sporting events. He was a loyal follower of Lee High sports and could be found up on the hill at Consolati Field every Friday night cheering on Wildcat Football. Bob was also an avid bowler, enjoyed gardening and following the Red Sox and Giants Football. He loved to talk and tell stories about Pittsfield history, old friends, work, and other tidbits of information to whomever would listen.
He leaves his loving wife, the former Elaine Bernardo whom he married on February 6, 1960, at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield. A son, Timothy S. Lee and his wife Tamara of Dalton. His daughter, Jacqueline A. Loehr and her husband Billy of Lee. Four grandchildren; Kelcey L. Lee, Addison E. Lee, Cameron S. Loehr and Lukas M. Loehr as well as his three great granddaughters; Terryn, Peyton and Raven. He also leaves three brothers; Richard Lee and his wife Leona of Phoenix, AZ, John Lee and his wife Patricia of Pittsfield David Lee and his wife Beth of Westfield, many nieces and nephews as well as his brother and sister-in-law; Richard and Jean Barry of Merrimack, NH.
He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law; Gerald and Michelle Lee.
Bob’s family would like to thank the many nurses, doctors, staff and security staff at Berkshire Medical Center who were so very kind to Bob and his family during his stays there.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral Services for Robert E. Lee who passed away March 1, 2002, will be held Monday, March 7, 2022, at 9:15 AM from the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Agnes Church in Dalton celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Pastor. Entombment will follow in the St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum at St. Joseph Cemetery in Pittsfield. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield. Memorial donations in memory of Bob may be made to Berkshire United Way which was dear to his heart in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Born in Pittsfield on August 5, 1936, he was the oldest son of the late Daniel R. Lee and Helen Dowling Lee. Bob grew up on Congress Street in Pittsfield and was a regular in all the neighborhood baseball games and activities.
He was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1954 graduate of Pittsfield High School. After graduation he joined the Apprentice Program at General Electric which began an outstanding career in Drafting, Field Engineering and Product Support. Bob was proud of his work in the Charleston Navy Yard and overseas in Holy Loch, Scotland where he worked tirelessly on the Trident, Polaris and Poseidon Weapon Systems. His career in the Ballistic Missile Program spanned forty-two years and he remained loyal to the mission as GE evolved into Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. He never passed up the opportunity to reminisce about his many friends and associates at work. He reluctantly retired from General Dynamics in 1999.
Never one to sit still, Bob transitioned upon retirement to serving as a Campaign Volunteer for Berkshire United Way for over ten years where he went into the office every day. While at United Way he was recognized as the 2002 Thomas F. Cooney 10th Player Award recipient as an outstanding campaign volunteer. In 2003 and 2008 he was the recipient of the Community Volunteer Award and the Distinguished Volunteer Award respectively. Bob was passionate about his work at United Way and made many friends as he traveled throughout the Berkshire’s visiting area companies and businesses to promote United Ways core values.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Dalton and a longtime communicant of the former St. Teresa Church in Pittsfield where he was very active as a Eucharistic Minister, and Funeral Altar Server. He also served as the Bazaar Chairman for many years and as a member on the Parish Council and CCD Board.
A member of the GE Quarter Century and Pensioner’s Clubs, Bob’s greatest joy was attending his grandchildren’s school, dance, cheerleading and sporting events. He was a loyal follower of Lee High sports and could be found up on the hill at Consolati Field every Friday night cheering on Wildcat Football. Bob was also an avid bowler, enjoyed gardening and following the Red Sox and Giants Football. He loved to talk and tell stories about Pittsfield history, old friends, work, and other tidbits of information to whomever would listen.
He leaves his loving wife, the former Elaine Bernardo whom he married on February 6, 1960, at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield. A son, Timothy S. Lee and his wife Tamara of Dalton. His daughter, Jacqueline A. Loehr and her husband Billy of Lee. Four grandchildren; Kelcey L. Lee, Addison E. Lee, Cameron S. Loehr and Lukas M. Loehr as well as his three great granddaughters; Terryn, Peyton and Raven. He also leaves three brothers; Richard Lee and his wife Leona of Phoenix, AZ, John Lee and his wife Patricia of Pittsfield David Lee and his wife Beth of Westfield, many nieces and nephews as well as his brother and sister-in-law; Richard and Jean Barry of Merrimack, NH.
He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law; Gerald and Michelle Lee.
Bob’s family would like to thank the many nurses, doctors, staff and security staff at Berkshire Medical Center who were so very kind to Bob and his family during his stays there.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral Services for Robert E. Lee who passed away March 1, 2002, will be held Monday, March 7, 2022, at 9:15 AM from the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Agnes Church in Dalton celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Pastor. Entombment will follow in the St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum at St. Joseph Cemetery in Pittsfield. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield. Memorial donations in memory of Bob may be made to Berkshire United Way which was dear to his heart in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.