Robert F. Johnston, 84, of Manchester passed away December 4, 2012 at Villa Crest Health Care Center following a lengthy illness. He was born in Manchester on September 2, 1928, the son of William and Helen (O’Brien) Johnston.
He was raised and educated in Manchester and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was the popular and respected owner of Bobby’s Lunch from 1964 to 1990. An annual tradition was the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner that he hosted at his restaurant.
Bobby was a very successful professional fighter. He won 36 out of 42 professional fights and was enshrined in the Queen City Sports Hall of Fame. He later mentored successful local fighters, Bobby Rivard and Bobby Stephens.
He was an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Easter Seals and hosted many Christmas parties for children of that organization. Following his retirement, he worked as a school bus driver for the Manchester Transit Authority and was also employed by the State Pari-Mutuel Commission. He also served as a volunteer for the Meals On Wheels program.
He was pre deceased by his wife of 47 years, Jeannine (Dulude) Johnston on July 6, 1997.
Family members include a daughter, Barbara Anne Snee of Manchester; two sons, Allan F. Johnston and his companion Dee Blake of Webster, NH and Stephen M. Johnston and his wife Lisa of Manchester; eight grandchildren, Kelley Scott, Joseph Johnston, Michelle Rule, Elizabeth Johnston, Shane Johnston, Kelsey Johnston, Shannon Snee and Matthew Snee; two great grandchildren Faith Johnston and Mariah Johnston; three sisters, Mary McGuire of Manchester, Lillian Peltak and her husband Tom of Manchester and Jeanie Johnston of Manchester; four brothers, James Johnston and his wife Shirley of York Beach ME, Frank Johnston and his wife Janice of Manchester, Ronald Johnston and his wife Donna of Dedham MA and Lenny Johnston and his wife Helen of Lehigh Acres, FL; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Bobby was pre deceased by two sisters, Helen Fremeau and Christine Johnston and two brothers, William and Richard Johnston.
Calling hours were on Sunday, December 9th from 1 to 4 PM in the McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover St, corner of Beech St. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday at 10 AM in St. Pius X Church, 575 Candia Rd. Burial with military honors followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Easter Seals New Hampshire, Attn: Development Department, 555 Auburn St., Manchester NH 03103.
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