Robert R. Johnstone

RUTLAND – Robert R. Johnstone, 82, of Skyline Drive, died peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2013, under the loving care of his family and the staff at the Life Care Center in Auburn. Bob was born in New York City on July 30, 1930, raised in Princeton, and graduated from Worcester Boy’s Trade High School.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he met and fell in love with Walda E. Fessenden. Bob and Walda were engaged in three months and on May 6, 1956, they married. Bob was a dedicated Marine and embarked on a 30-year career that would take him on two tours of duty in Vietnam and bring both he and his family to California, Cherry Pointe, North Carolina, and El Salvador where he was stationed several years at the U.S. Embassy. After an illustrious career in the Marine Corps, Bob retired in 1977 as a Master Sergeant, remained in the Marine Corps reserves, and moved to Holden where he and his family lived until moving to Rutland in 2002.

After his retirement, Bob went to work as a mechanic for the U.S. Postal Service in Worcester. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Princeton and a driver for LEMA in Leominster. He was a member and former deacon of the First Congregational Church of Princeton. Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and will be remembered for his compassion, honesty and devotion to those he loved.

He leaves his wife of 56 years, Walda E. (Fessenden) Johnstone; a daughter, Margaret L. Johnstone of Rutland; two sons, William W. Johnstone of Laurel Hill, NC and Wayne R. Johnstone of New Orleans; a granddaughter, Elizabeth E. Johnstone of Rutland; a brother, John Williams of New Hampshire; two sister-in-laws, Margaret I. Germain and her husband Ronald of Paxton and Marie T. Dacey and her husband Timothy of Spencer; nieces and nephews. Bob was eagerly anticipating the birth of his great grandchild in August.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 11, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, in the First Congregational Church of Princeton, 14 Mountain Road. Interment with full military honors will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue (Rte. 56), Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Veteran’s Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com