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Robert L. DeBenedictis, Bobby D to all who knew him of Franklin, MA, passed away on Monday, September 16th, 2024. Born and raised in Westwood, MA, Bobby grew up playing street hockey and riding bikes with his neighbors and friends. He later lived in Pompano Beach, Florida, before returning to Massachusetts, where he settled in Franklin and started a family.
In 1985, Bobby started his used car business, B & G Auto Brokers, which became a local success. From trips to the ADESA auctions to traveling to nearby states to pick up inventory, Bobby was a magician when it came to anything with a motor. Whether it was a motorcycle, a '57 Chevy, or a 7.3 diesel, he knew it all. He was a proud member of the Red Devils Car Club and enjoyed owning vintage cars over the years.
Bobby enjoyed vacationing in Rangeley, Maine, where he owned a home and spent time with family riding snowmobiles, fishing, and going mudding. If it had an engine, Bobby could fix it. He was the go-to guy when you needed a carburetor dialed in or were stumped on why a car wasn't running right. There wasn’t a vehicle he couldn’t fix. He was also a remarkably savvy businessman, running his business successfully up to his final days.
In recent years, Bobby enjoyed dinners with his wife and daughter Meghan and friends at their favorite local Italian restaurants, cookouts, and playing with toy trucks with his two grandsons. To know Bobby was to love him. He had an infectious laugh, a handsome smile, striking blue eyes and was a jokester at heart. He would do anything for those he knew and loved, always ready to drop everything to help family and friends. He was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Bobby was the protector of many and if you had the opportunity to be called one of his, you’ll know exactly how special that is! Bobby leaves behind countless friends, family and loved ones.
He was the charming husband of Donna Dwyer DeBenedictis, the love of his life, of Franklin, MA. Loving father of Jamie Spillane and her husband Billy of Bellingham, Danielle DeBenedictis and her partner Evan Archer of Chandler, AZ and Meghan Meehan of Sagamore Beach, MA whom Bobby proudly called his daughter. Loving Brother of Mark DeBenedictis and his partner Valerie of MI, and the late Jan DeBenedictis of Franklin. Lastly, he was the proud Grandfather and 'NooNoo' of William and Jack Spillane of Bellingham, who were the apples of his eye.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Bobby's life at the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. on Monday, September 23rd from 3pm-7pm.
A Celebration of Life will take place at The Rome Restaurant in Franklin on Tuesday , September 24th from 11:30am-3:30pm.
All are welcome to join and celebrate Bobby D.
Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com
John F. O'Donnell, age 80
Born in County Kerry Ireland and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, John graduated from North Cambridge Catholic High School in 1962. He proudly served in the Air Force Reserve before earning a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1977. John dedicated many years to the Norton Company. He then found his second career working for Michael J Connolly and Sons.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (Patty) O'Donnell. John and Patty’s love story began on a blind date at a spaghetti supper in Cambridge - a moment that sparked a lifetime of cherished memories. John and Patty moved to Franklin where they shared 55 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised three children: John Jr., Kerry (aka the creamy middle), and Katy, and welcomed a daughter-in-law Amy and son-in-law Pete with loving arms. He was a devoted grandfather to Jake, Ryan, Abby, Sean, and Nick, who brought him immense joy and many laughs. He is also survived by his loving brother Michael O'Donnell and his wife Maureen, nephews Sean and Kevin and his niece Erin.
John first met many of his Franklin friends at the St. Mary’s Parish Club and those friendships flourished during the annual St. Rocco’s festival where he worked the ground crew setting up and breaking down the booths and doing anything else Rocco’s Rockettes needed. He was also quick to volunteer to coach youth soccer and basketball, despite not really understanding the games, and enjoyed operating the spotlight at many FSPA shows.
John loved helping others with their chores. It would usually start with him loaning a tool, but he would inevitably be found at someone else’s house working on a project while Patty’s “honey-do” list went untouched. An avid tinkerer, John found joy in puttering around in his garage, making many trips to Home Depot, and completing countless oil changes and brake jobs in his driveway for family and friends - he especially liked to remind his daughter Kerry to “check your fluids,” every time she backed her car out of his driveway. But his real superpower was his unique skill for taking naps, or as he called it “just resting my eyes”, anytime, anywhere.
John also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, from reading the Sunday Globe to cruising with the top down in his convertible to get a strawberry ice cream.
Later in life, he could be found relaxing and walking the strip at Fort Myers Beach, traveling with the 1776 crew, savoring wings at the Rome (especially when Patty was traveling) and sharing a glass of wine at La Cantina Winery when she returned. John's friendships extended throughout his new neighborhood, known affectionately as "the Hood”, where he could be found taking daily walks, frequently stopping at the VOH clubhouse to get the mail and sit in the rocking chair waiting for neighbors to walk by, and playing cribbage on Monday nights.
Upon passing he became an organ donor so even after he was ready to move on, he still found a way to help others. And now we are sure John is with his friends sharing a bottle of Irish Mist – two ice cubes and fill it to the top!
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Wednesday September 25th, at 10AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church 1 Church Square, Franklin at 11AM.
Interment will follow at the parish cemetery.
Calling hours are Tuesday Sept. 24th, from 5-7PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Franklin Food Pantry (www.franklinfoodpantry.org).
