Robert A. Cone, 80, of Paxton and formerly of Worcester, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Ann (Cavanagh) Cone; seven children, William Cone and his wife Mary Beth, Pamela Trainor and her husband Peter, Jean Belec and her husband Wayne, Andrea Richardson and her husband Ashby, Ann McCarthy and her husband Sean, Elizabeth Burnes and her husband Allan, and Robert A. Cone, Jr.; a sister, Elinore M. Manzaro; seventeen grandchildren, Lindsay, Tyler, Patrick, Erin, Owen, Olivia, Ryan, Julia, Liam, Thomas, Grace, Catherine, Kaden, Nicholas, John, Kylee and Kelly, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three brothers, L. Winston Cone Jr., and Clinton F. and John W. Cone, and two sisters, Gloria F. Manzaro and Maybelle M. Cone.
Bob was born in Ware, son of Leon W. and Margaret M. (McCarthy) Cone and grew up in North Brookfield. He attended North Brookfield High School and Leicester Junior College.
He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War serving on active duty from 1952 to 1956. His service included long tours in the Asian-Pacific region stationed aboard the USS Stribling and the USS Cushing.
After the Navy, he earned bachelor and master degrees at Worcester State College.
Bob was a teacher at Gage Street School and Worcester East Middle School in the Worcester Public School System for 34 years, retiring in 1994. He also worked part-time for six years at the Heritage Country Club in Charlton.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church in Worcester, the Knights of Columbus, the Main South American Legion Post, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bob was an avid reader. He loved travel and get togethers with family and friends, especially with grandchildren and his friends from the Emerald Isle.
The Cone family thanks the VNA Hospice staff, especially Paulette, for their skilled and compassionate care.
Calling hours are Tuesday, May 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be Wednesday, May 22 from the funeral home with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main St., Worcester. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Care Network Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608 or the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
