Robert J. Reardon

On February 5, 2022, at the age of 94, Robert J. “Bob” Reardon of Pembroke, MA passed peacefully.

He is survived by his “two lovelies”: His beautiful, loving, devoted wife of 74 years Iris "Betty" (Woods) who cared for him at home, and who he called his morning sunshine and his evening star, his cherished daughter Sunnie of MA and FL, who worshiped him, and his beloved son David of RI, who he was very proud of.

In addition, he is survived by his three grandchildren Philip Reardon and his wife Kelli, Rob and Alexi Reardon, and four great grandchildren Luke, Emma, Jaxson, and R.J. Reardon.

He is at last reunited with his two beloved, pre-deceased sons: Kevin (1970) and Bruce (2012), his sister Marilyn, his brother Ronald, and his parents Rita (D’Arigo) and Robert J. Reardon, Sr. He is survived by his sister Myrna of MA.

Bob made an enduring positive impact for the people and land in his hometown of Pembroke. He was a leader in business and in his community. During his fifty years as owner of Reardon Tree and Landscape Company, he mentored many young men who developed into skilled tree experts and wonderful human beings who have gone on to make positive differences in the lives of others, including John Scagliarini, who he dubbed his “Plymouth son”.

An accomplished man, strong of will and constitution, brave, and adventurous, he started as a Boy Scout in his early teens, graduated from Pembroke high school as president of the senior class 1945. Bob was a lifelong, expert hunter and avid fisherman, who thrived in nature. He was the vocational instructor of arboriculture at the Bristol County Agricultural High School, a Massachusetts-Certified Arborist for 45 years, the Town of Pembroke Tree Warden, past president of Southeastern MA Tree Wardens and Arborists Association, a member of the executive board of the MA Tree Wardens and Foresters Association for 10 years, recipient of the Doctor Stone Award, and an Old Colony Sportsman Club member since 1945.

Bob was also a delegate of the Plymouth County League of Sportsmen, qualified at “expert” skill level in police combat pistol course four times, member of Conservation Commission for 11 years, and the chairman for three years.

At the age of 72, he became a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Duxbury Flotilla, and became Flotilla Staff Officer, shortly thereafter. As a member of the Pembroke Fire Department Underwater Recovery Team, he braved ice-covered ponds to find drowning victims.

He and his wife shared many happy times dining and dancing, boating, fishing, and snowmobiling in Pittsburgh, N.H. and Quebec.

An involved father, he taught his sons how to hunt, fish, and scuba dive. He supported his daughter’s love of horses, and he was the one she went to who could fix anything, whether it was a broken toy or a broken heart. Luckily, as a serious photography enthusiast, he captured many beautiful memories that his family will cherish forever.

A memorial service will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington Street, Route 53, Hanover, on Sunday at 11 AM with visitation to follow until 2pm.