Robert C. Gardner, 84, of Mattapoisett, passed away at Alden Court on Thursday, April 5, 2018. He was the husband of Doris S. (Shulkey) Gardner, they were high school sweethearts.
Mr. Gardner was born in Melrose, MA, son of the late Louis R. and Louise (Montgomery) Gardner and had been a longtime resident of Mattapoisett. He was a graduate of Boston University and attained his Master’s Degree at the University of New Hampshire. He went on to be the principal of Old Rochester Regional Junior High school where he worked for over 30 years. There, under his leadership, programs such as Survival and Turkey Day were created and considered a rite of passage. Mr. Gardner was Massachusetts Principal of the Year and the Past President of New England Middle School Principal Association, the founding father of the Mattapoisett Road Race and a member of the Harpoon Harmonizers.
Survivors along with his wife include his 2 sons: Glenn Gardner and his wife Paula of Fairhaven, Peter L. Gardner and his wife Fabiane of W. Yarmouth and his daughter: Karen L. Gardner-Ogg and her husband Willy of Wareham; 4 grandchildren: Blake, Marissa, Andrew and Noah; 4 great grandchildren: Madison, Mila, Lainey and Gwendolyn; along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service to which relatives and friends are invited, will be held Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Fairlawn Mortuary, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven, MA 02719 at 1:30 pm.
Calling hours will be from 11:00 am- 1:30 pm, prior to the service.
Interment in Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mattapoisett Road Race Community, c/o Bill Tilden, 135 Marion Rd., Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
