ROBERT EUGENE PROUTY

Hardwick ~ Robert “Bob” Prouty, 71 of North Road, Hardwick, passed away after a long courageous battle with cancer on September 15, 2015 peacefully at home surrounded by his family.  He was born on November 2, 1943, the son of the late Jessie (Hanson) and Stanley B. Prouty of Hardwick.

Bob was born and raised in Hardwick and graduated from Hardwick High School in1961.  He also attended New Salem Academy.  He was employed with McDonald and Donovan Construction Co, and R. Young Construction Co., the Hardwick Highway Department for several years and was a member of the Local 243 Laborers Union in Worcester as well as the M.W.R.A. from which he retired in 2004. He had previously been a volunteer firefighter for Hardwick Fire Dept. and a former part-time Hardwick Police Officer and most recently worked for Hardwick Recycling in Wheelwright prior to his death.  Bob was a lifelong member of the Hardwick Rod and Gun Club, which he joined on his 15th birthday.  He was a member of the First Universalist Church in Hardwick.  In his youth he was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and a member of the local 4-H Club.

He enjoyed helping his brother George and nephew Donny in the hay fields each summer even though he did not live on The Farm any longer.  He mostly enjoyed spending time with his family, relatives and many friends while relaxing on his front porch at his home sitting in his Adirondack chairs he designed himself. He also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and all sorts of fruit trees.  Bob enjoyed raising chickens, turkeys, peacocks, and fancy pheasants.  He liked to attend farm auctions and poke around the Rietta Flea Market hoping to find something he did not already have.  Almost every day he liked to go for coffee and then BJ’s or Tractor Supply with his longtime best friend Donny Moryl of Gilbertville.  He enjoyed eating out and traveling, especially up north to the mountains of VT and NH.   But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his pride and joy of his life, his grandson Josh, who was his “buddy” and who will miss him dearly. 

Besides his parents he leaves behind his devoted and loving daughter, Lisa and her son Joshua Robert Prouty, whose name he could only remember when he was born as “something Robert” after him. His step daughter Michelle (Provencal) Kopfmann and her husband Craig with their three children Claire, Michael and Carli Kopfmann all of Monroe, CT.  He also leaves behind his siblings: Stanley (Maureen) of CT, George (Irene) of Hardwick, Barbara Tardy of Springfield, Beverly Mooney of CT, Marguerite (Richard) Crevier of Hardwick.  He was predeceased by brothers Donald, 1994, Harry in 2013 and sister Ruth Ward also in 2013 as well as 3 nephews and a niece. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews and his four-legged constant companion, Sandy.  Bob also leaves his former wife Patricia (Polak) Prouty of Hardwick along with his longtime best friend, Donny Moryl of Gilbertville.

Bob asked to extend a special thank you to his nephews, Bill, Donny and Kenny and to Donny Moryl for the many kindnesses they have extended to him especially these past two years.

Services celebrating Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, September 26th at the First Universalist Church in Hardwick Center, with calling hours from 9-11 at the church prior to the funeral service being held at 11:00 AM.  Interment will be in Hardwick Center Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Bob has requested that memorial donations be made in his name to:  The Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Mary Lane Hospital, 85 South St, Ware, MA  01082.

Charbonneau Funeral Home, Pleasant Street, Ware, MA has been entrusted with assisting the family with arrangements.