Keohane Funeral Home

Robert F. Barrett, Jr., “Bob”, 90, died Thursday, February 15, 2018 peacefully in Hingham.

A devoted husband of 60 years, Bob is survived by his wife Eleanor, “Ellie” (Duggan), their four sons, Robert Barrett III, and his wife Cynthia, of Hingham; Patrick, and his wife Joan, of Hingham; Stephen, of Jackson, WY; John, and his wife Kristin, of Hingham; and nine grandchildren, Robert IV, Alexandria, Abigail, Patrick, Eleanor, Nicolaas, Stephen, Kathleen and Grace.

Born and raised in Hingham, the son of Robert and Abigail Barrett, he was a lifelong resident. A graduate of Hingham High School, Bob competed on the football team, captained the 1945 baseball team, and played hockey on a level that opened the doors for him at Boston University. Prior to enrolling at BU, he joined the Navy and served during WWII. After serving his country, he attended and graduated from Boston University in 1952. He was a member of both baseball and ice hockey teams. By the time Bob completed his studies at BU, the hockey team made two appearances in the NCAA National Championships. He was also an accomplished musician, playing the coronet in civic orchestras and with professional bands as a teenager.

Upon his return to Hingham in 1952, Bob assumed a two-year role of teacher and coach of football, hockey and baseball. During the years 1954-1959, he served as an assistant athletic director at the Milbrook School in New York. He then returned to Hingham in 1961 as a physical education teacher before assuming the role of athletic director. Bob served as Director of Physical Education and Athletics for the Hingham Public Schools from 1963 until his retirement in 1984. During his tenure, he pioneered and helped perpetuate new athletic programs for all students, particularly for girls, increasing the number of competitive sports from four to 13, including Girls Track, Girls Lacrosse and Boys and Girls Soccer. Throughout his retirement he enjoyed watching the high school teams practice and compete and would often spend time stopping by the fields.

His contribution to young, student athletes went well beyond Hingham. He was a long-standing member of the Massachusetts Athletic Directors Association serving as president in 1971-1972. In 1974, the National Federation of Athletic Directors selected him as the “Athletic Director of the Year”. He served on its executive board in 1976-1977. In 1993, Bob won the William J. Stewart Award for service to schoolboy hockey given by the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches’ Association. In 1999, he was inducted into the Hingham High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bob enjoyed watching his grandchildren go through the Hingham Public Schools. Wolfeboro, NH was their second home where he spent time with his family enjoying the lake, the mountains and sports at Brewster Academy.

A golfer in retirement, Bob was a member of Marshfield Country Club and Royal Palms Country Club. He and his wife Ellie enjoyed spending the last 20 winters in Naples, Florida with many dear friends they met there.

He leaves a legacy of love of family and community.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Tuesday, February 20 from 4-8 PM at the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street, Hingham.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, February 21 at 9:15 AM followed by the  Funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Paul’s Church, 147 North Street, Hingham.

Burial in High Street Cemetery, Hingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Shore SNAP (Special Needs Athletic Partnership), 10 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA 02184 or The National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.