He was born in Plattsburg, NY; the son of the late Joseph L. and Grace A. (Guilbo) Soucy.
The family moved many times during his childhood, finally settling in Keene when Bob was in 7th grade. He graduated from St. Joseph Elementary School then attended Keene High School, Class of 1954. His favorite high school memory was the three touchdowns he scored against Central. (It was really four; however one was called back due to a penalty.)The day after graduation, Bob joined the US Air Force, serving much of his tour in Alaska and continued to play football. Following his discharge in 1958, he entered Keene Teachers College graduating in 1962. In June he married his college girlfriend, Joan (Barry).
That September Bob joined the faculty of the newly formed Monadnock Regional High School. He never interviewed, however the head football coach, Hank Sanders, remembered Bob from his high school football feats and Monadnock suddenly had a social studies teacher and freshman football coach. He would go on to be an assistant and head varsity coach in both football and track. He became the Social Studies Department Chair in 1971, a position he held until his retirement in 1995.
Bob devoted 33 years to the students of Monadnock. When he wasn’t teaching or coaching, he advised Model Congress, Model United Nations, the History Club, and Student Congress, he was the official scorer for 34 years for the Boys Varsity Basketball Team, he also performed as Head Official at track meets for 15 years. In 1980 Bob and his wife stared the M.R.H.S. Staff Scholarship Fund.
Bob’s dedication was recognized in many ways. In the early 70’s he was voted “Favorite Teacher” in the Monadnock Region, he received the Yearbook Dedication 4 times and the Student Council Service Award several times. In 2000 he was chosen for a “Monadnock Profile” in the Keene Sentinel for his contributions to the school. In 2005 he was a member of the first induction class of the M.R.H.S. Athletics Hall of Fame, being inducted as a Booster. Following retirement, he continued to support the school, attending sporting events and making monetary contributions to the Scholarship Fund, Project Graduation, and Championship Teams among others.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a brother, Leonard Soucy.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan Soucy of Swanzey; two sisters, Grace Benway of Burlington, VT and Mary Ferencik and her husband Ed of Endicott, NY; numerous nieces and nephews; his chosen family, The Shaw’s - which includes three Godchildren, Laura Miles and her husband Tim and their children, Isla and Calum of Exeter, Michael Shaw and his wife Katie and their children Morgan, Sophie and Harrison of Swanzey, and Dan Shaw and his wife Cate of Gardner, MA.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at FLECTHER FUNERAL HOME, 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the M.R.H.S. Scholarship Fund, c/o Monadnock Regional High School, 580 Old Homestead Hwy, Swanzey, NH 03446. Attention Lorna Watkins Barth.
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