Robert James Coles

Robert James Coles, 78, of Gardner, MA slipped to the heavens Thursday morning, February 20th, 2025. Bob was born in Hackensack, NJ, on September 10,1946. 1st son of the late Steve Coles and Dorothy (Barr) Coles.

He graduated from Ramsey High School in 1964 where he excelled in art and track & field. After graduation, he worked with his father at the Flintkote Corp, in East Rutherford, NJ for a summer and figured he'd do better in the Marines. He served from 1966 to 1971, stationed in Vietnam and Japan. He received 4 medals and a navy citation for his service. He enjoyed the scenery of Asia and took 1000's of pictures.

While he was on leave one summer, he worked with his parents and siblings at the Rt.17 Drive-In, in Upper Saddle River, NJ that they managed. Upon his return to the states, he studied engineering/electrical engineering at FIT achieving solid grades and was on the Crew team, competing in meets along the east coast and as far away as Australia. He had a love for the water and sailing.

After college he moved to Texas and worked in electrical engineering. He realized Texas was not for him and relocated to central Massachusetts where he lived in various locations for the balance of his life. He lived in the quintessential New England (drafty) post and beam house built in the early 1800's, that he was very proud of. There he loved gardening, his dog Scotty and his cat Boots. He was employed with Digital Corporation for most of his working career in Massachusetts. He had a passion for WWII planes and enjoyed air shows, also boats & sailing and would take an annual schooner trip out of Camden, Maine, and managed to return with hundreds of pictures each time.

He was 1st married to Debra Girvan of Mahwah, NJ and they had 2 daughters Carrie and Kelly of CT. He later married Kathy Haskins of Franklin Lakes, NJ and they had 1 daughter Erin, of MA. He is survived by his sister Cindy Schucht of NJ, her 2 children, daughter Allison, son Chris, his wife Kristen and their son Conner. He is also survived by his brother Ted, his wife Diane, Ted's sons Logan and Austin, his wife Mercedes and their daughter Blake. Diane's son, Adam, daughter Gabrielle and her husband Andrew. Also, he is survived by a few cousins scattered throughout the northeast. 

He was predeceased by his brother Dave in 2017. 

Per his wishes he will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon, MA.

Mack Family Funeral Home, Gardner Chapel 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.