Robert George Najarian

Robert, affectionately known as Bob, Nudge (Mr., Uncle, Coach) and Boom Boom, was born in Boston in 1942 to George and Helen (Camuso) Najarian. He was the proud older brother of his sister, Diane Andrews (deceased) and his brother, Kenny Najarian of Duxbury.

Growing up in South Boston and Brighton, Bob was known for being sharp, tough and full of personality. He impressed his teachers, played catcher on the baseball team and loved shooting pool whenever he could. He attended St. Columbkille School in Brighton from kindergarten through high school. At eleven years old he met the love of his life, Denise (O’Connell) Najarian. He invited her to a Friday night dance — and then didn’t show up, ruining what could have been the perfect beginning to their story. But as the years passed, their lives overlapped, and what followed became a love story that lasted seventy two years.

Bob graduated from Boston College and became a certified public accountant. He held various jobs before eventually finding his professional home at The Wingate Management Company. At Wingate he was instrumental in the expansion of operations throughout the United States. Totally on brand, Bob was working deals, building relationships and making money right up to the end.

Now back to the love story…Bob and Denise married in 1964 and immediately headed west to California to begin their life together. Their son, Robert Jr., was born in 1965, and not long after they returned home to Massachusetts and settled in Hanover — a world away from the city, but close to family. Their own family continued to grow with the arrival of their daughters, Daryce in 1968 and Heather in 1972, followed by their youngest son, Daniel, in 1976.

Life was filled with baseball and hockey games, dance recitals, gymnastics competitions, golf tournaments and many weekends spent coaching and cheering from the sidelines. There were countless vacations with family and friends. Up north to ski in the winter and boat in the summer. Treasured trips to Cape Cod that somehow — inevitably and “accidentally” — resulted in the family not being invited back the following year.

Boating and golfing — though preferably not at the same time — were two of Bob’s greatest passions. Gradually working his way from smaller ski boats to cabin cruisers and then his Sea Ray, he christened them as “Mrs. Nudge”. In the early 1980s, he joined Oakley Country Club, where he and Denise formed lifelong friendships filled with golf, laughter, parties, and world travel. He proudly served as Club President for two years. Oakley Country Club played a significant role in Bob’s life for more than forty years.

Bob was incredibly smart — truly brilliant. He was generous beyond measure, often quietly so, and had a quick, understated sense of humor. He treated everyone with kindness and respect. His family will forever remember the things that made him Boom Boom: education, the Red Sox, Hershey bars, walnut ice cream, popcorn, roasted chicken and rice, apple pie with vanilla ice cream. His grandchildren ~ Alexandra, Samantha, Robert III, Max, Christian, Connor, Manning, Rachael, Matthew, Daniel, Annabelle, Rose, and Hank were truly his be-all and end-all. They were his legacy, and his love for them was endless. Survived by his wife of 63 years, Denise, son Robert and his wife Traci of Duxbury, daughters Daryce and husband Chris Morris, Heather both of Hanover and son Daniel and his wife Marlene of Duxbury, and thirteen grandchildren.

He is also survived by his loving brother Kenny and countless cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Don’t worry Boom Boom, we’ll keep an eye on the Adirondack chairs for you.

Family and friends are invited to Funeral Mass Friday, June 5, 9am at St. Mary’s Church in Hanover, Massachusetts, followed by interment at Hanover Cemetery.

Donations in lieu of flowers to South Shore Health: https://give.southshorehealth.org/campaign/773335/donate