Robert "Bob" James Jordan

The fifth of six children born to Bridget “Bridie” (Mitchell) Jordan and Francis  “Frank” Jordan (of Galway, Ireland), Bob was born March 7, 1937 in Boston, MA.  Although the family lost their father early to illness, Bob enjoyed a happy childhood supported by the love and hard work of his ‘Ma’, a close-knit, boisterous connection with his five siblings and the comradery of many friends. 

At the age of 16 years, Bob began working at the Supreme Market in Dorchester, where he met the love of his life Claire Sapienza. 

At 19, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Chincoteague, VA. As a  U.S. Navy Air Man E-3 “Airdale”, Bob put his natural problem solving and  mechanical abilities to good use in maintaining and repairing naval aircraft. After  his time in the Navy, Bob came home to his sweetheart Claire; they married in 1959 and had three daughters. In 1968, Bob and Claire purchased their home in Hanover, where they raised their family and shared many happy decades. 

Bob’s law enforcement career began in 1970 when he was appointed as a Boston Police Patrolman, then Plain-Clothes Officer and retired in 2000 with the rank of Detective. Officer Jordan was well liked and respected by fellow police officers and Boston residents, alike. His respectful manner, thorough and intuitive work ethic, strong, calm, wise, and empathetic presence are evidenced by the multiple letters of appreciation, support, and praise, which were sent by citizens of Boston to his superior officers. Officer Jordan also served as a member of the BPD Honor Guard in support of funeral services for fellow Police Officers. This was a duty for which he expressed the utmost reverence. Throughout his successful career, Officer Jordan “Bobby”, enjoyed the challenges and rewards of all aspects of law enforcement, with years spent in various specialty investigation units and districts of Boston. Being a Boston Police Officer was an accomplishment he was very proud of and grateful for. 

After Bob retired from the BPD he enjoyed part-time jobs as a groundskeeper for the Green Harbor Golf Course, a van driver for the Council on Aging, and an attendant at the Sullivan Funeral Homes. 

Bob and Claire were married for 61 years, until his love passed away from cancer. As a husband, Bob was caring, attentive, and thoroughly in love with Claire. During their years together, Bob enjoyed world traveling with Claire, his siblings, and close friends. He loved caring for their home, family times, grilling his famous ribs, his large array of squirrel-proofed bird feeders, a great golf game (whether played or watched) and so much more. He enjoyed his life! 

But, most of all Bob loved being a father to “My Girls”, as he affectionately referred to his daughters. As a father he was a good, patient, and wise teacher and a wonderful listener. Funny, playful, calm, helpful, protective, and fair were some of the qualities he brought to parenting. 

As a grandparent, “Papa” was fun, playful, truly appreciative of each of his  grandchildren’s unique qualities and individual lives while imparting wise, thoughtful  lessons, great stories, and a patient ear. 

As his health began to fail, Bob graciously accepted nurturing from his daughters and caregivers while remaining strong, sense of humor intact, inspiring laughter and lessons to all, right up until his last days. 

Bob Jordan is remembered by all who have known him as a good and strong man. A nice guy, with a ready smile, hearty laugh, and firm handshake, who loved his family, his friends, his BPD career, a great meal, vanilla ice-cream, and the ever sought after, perfectly sugar-coated jelly-stick donut. 

From his home with God, Bob now watches over his daughters Laura Greene (late  husband Steven), Donna Kaminski (husband Stan) and Diane Jordan, grandchildren Jordan Aikens (husband Brendan), Kevin Greene (wife Elisa), Nicholas Ryan, Jake  Ryan, Joshua Kaminski, and David Kaminski, great-grandchildren Olivia Aikens and  Addilyn Aikens, Sister-in-law Joanne (Sapienza) Singer (husband Victor), many nieces and nephews and his brother and best friend, Walter Jordan (wife Beverly). 

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, September 29th from 4-7pm at Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington St, Route 53, Hanover. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Angels Parish (formerly St Mary’s), 392 Hanover Street, Route 139, Hanover on Saturday, September 30th at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at Hanover Center Cemetery. 

Donations in memory of Robert "Bob" Jordan may be made to the Pat Roche Hospice Home or NVNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061.