Robert D. Whynott Obituary

Robert D. Whynott, 77, Retired City Clerk, Gloucester City Councilor, and Justice of the Peace, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023. He leaves behind his soul mate, wife, and companion of 50 years, Pat.

Born in Gloucester, the son of Charles A. Whynott Sr., and Marie (Zarrella) Whynott, he attended local schools and graduated from Gloucester High School, Class of 1963. Upon his graduation from high school, Bob attended Bryant & Stratton College in Boston, where he was lucky enough to forge some lifelong friendships.

After college, Bob took a job alongside his brother at the Honeywell Corporation in Newton, MA, where he worked as a computer programmer. He spent two years there before moving on to several other companies including Raytheon and the Jordan Marsh Company. In 1971, he began working for Sweetheart Plastics as a Computer Operations Manager. This job was one of the fondest of his life; not only was he able to make even more amazing lifetime friends here, but it was during his tenure at Sweetheart when he met and wed the love of his life, Pat.

Bob later moved onto G.E. Software International where he continued to establish lifelong friendships. Bob spent many more years in management and sales until 1992, when he was elected to the position of the Gloucester City Clerk and proudly stepped up to serve the city he loved so much. Bob put his heart and soul into this role, always an advocate for anything and everything he believed could make this city a better place to live and work. Even after his retirement in 2009, Bob continued to seek greatness for the city, and served three terms on the Gloucester City Council. He was proud to be able to represent his city again; he had previously served two terms as a councilman in the 80's.

Bob was employed as a part-time Deputy Sheriff for the Essex County Sheriff's department, and proudly kept his appointment as a Justice of the Peace, up until his passing.

Bob was a longtime member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks and the DES Club. In his leisure time, he enjoyed having coffee every morning with friends in the local Gloucester establishments, having an occasional cigar, and playing golf. He loved his city's annual traditions and participated in many Fiesta Celebrations and Horribles Parades.

Most of all, Bob loved entertaining people and bringing joy and smiles to everyone. He was a talented musician and singer and loved to show off his ability to do a little "soft shoe" on occasion. Bob loved the Christmas season, and he combined that with his love of music. What began in 1971 as three friends singing carols and spreading Christmas cheer around the city, grew into a huge annual "Christmas Caroling" event where family and friends would gather, take a trolley to the local nursing homes and elderly housing projects, and sing their hearts out to all of the residents. Santa Claus even made it "down" every year to join in. This tradition brought joy and happiness to so many people for nearly 50 years. It will forever live in the hearts of those who got to play a part in it.

Bob defied the odds in every way possible throughout the entirety of his life. Born with a severe asthma condition, doctors predicted that he might not see the age of ten years old, let alone grow into adulthood and have a wife, children, and grandchildren. Bob was a fighter his whole life right up until the very end. He touched everyone's lives in a different way and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Bob was a lover of 50's music and spent many years "Rockin' and Rollin'" in multiple bands throughout his life. He often referenced the plane crash that prematurely ended the lives of three very beloved musicians and the sadness he remembered feeling that day. The sadness of Bob's passing will never leave his family and friends either, and fittingly, Bob passed away on the anniversary of "The Day the Music Died".

Bob is survived by his wife Pat, and their children, son Robert V. Whynott and daughter Cheri A. Spencer, wife of Michael, of Peabody, MA and their three children, his granddaughters, of whom he absolutely adored. He is also survived by his older sister Gail A. Scola, of Gloucester. He was predeceased by his older brother Charles A. Whynott, Jr. of Gloucester.

Bob sought to leave a legacy of joy, and therefore, he did not want anyone to mourn over his passing. Burial services will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held on a later date to be determined, at which time the family invites all who knew and loved Bob to come and share in honoring him.