Rand Ingalls Bartlett

Randy was born in Marblehead, MA on April 13, 1947, among the last generation to be born at the Old Mary Alley Hospital in town. He attended elementary school in Marblehead for several years until his father’s Coast Guard career brought the family to new towns up and down the east coast. As an adult, Randy eventually settled back in Marblehead.

Randy graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett, MA in 1966. Following in his father’s footsteps, he enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year. In his four years of active duty in the Coast Guard, he served three years and six months on foreign or sea duty. He spent twelve months of duty in the coastal or brown waters of Viet Nam where he saw combat. Randy earned the rank of Gunners Mate 2nd Class. After discharge from active duty in July of 1970, Randy remained in the Coast Guard Reserve for the rest of his twenty-plus years of enlistment. In 1991 he was recalled to active duty during the Persian Gulf war, serving in the middle east for a six-month tour. His awards include: Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Vietnam service medal with silver star, Vietnam meritorious unit commendation (Gallantry Cross), Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, SW Asia Service Medal, Coast Guard Expert Rifle Medal, Coast Guard Pistol Shot Medal, National Defense Medal, and many more Coast Guard medals.

After retirement from active duty in the Coast Guard, he enrolled in North Shore Community College, where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, while also working full time at the Vinnin Square service station. He worked for a number of years as custodial staff at Marblehead High School, and then at the Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA. He was active in the Coast Guard Reserve in Gloucester, MA which he loved, looking forward to his weeks of training in Gloucester every year. He also served on the board of the Marblehead VFW for a number of years.

In 2009, he suffered a stroke which left his left side impaired, but didn’t stop him from leading an active life. He was an avid history buff with an incredible memory and a mind for detail. A regular at the Marblehead VFW, he loved spending time with fellow veterans and friends. He participated in many local veterans’ events over the years, and attended his Coast Guard ships’ reunions whenever possible. Randy met the love of his life in 2015 and the two of them spent the next nine years enjoying life together, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Randy was predeceased by his parents Walter Frank Bartlett and Wanda Jean (Price) Bartlett. He is survived by his beloved partner, Louise Bennett, and her family who loved and cared for him, and his sisters and their families, Sandra (Bartlett) Wallace, Virginia Bartlett, and Pamela Bartlett. He leaves many nieces, nephews, family and friends who will all miss his brilliance, his quirky sense of humor, his steadfastness and courage, and his sentimental heart.

A funeral service for Randy will be held on Friday, June 14 at 11:00 AM at the Dr. Arland A. Dirlam Chapel at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead. Interment will be private. There will be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marblehead VFW post 2005 in Randy’s name. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Randy's loved ones.