Final Salute

Robert “Bob” Harvey Cushing Obituary

Robert “Bob” Harvey Cushing, 96, beloved husband of the late Katherine L. Cushing, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at the Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Harry A. and Hazel A. (Wheeler) Cushing.
He was raised in Dorchester where he graduated from Boston English High School.

In 1941 he married Katherine (Kay) Brown and moved to Salem where he spent the next 18 years before settling in Beverly for the past 60 years.

Bob was a veteran of WWII who served with the United States Navy Seabees on the Island of Guam with the 144th Battalion from 1944 to war’s end in 1946. He was very proud of his service and spoke of it often.

Following his honorable discharge he then began a 50-year career which began at Bay State Belting Company of Salem, the manufacturer of leather belting used in the machinery industry. A big part of the leather belting was shipped allover the United States, Canada and to markets in South America. One such customer was located at Pequot Mills in Salem, home to Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company, and was later named Shetland Park. He retired in 1996.

As the oldest member of The First Baptist Church of Salem he served on several committees, sang in the choir and maintained the beauty of the church for many years prior to the purchase of the church building on Federal Street.

Always a gentleman and a gentle man, he was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

He loved his home and his yard where he and Kay spent many hours together. During the summer, they could be seen on a Sunday afternoon attending the outdoor services at Asbury Grove in Hamilton, where his family once occupied a cottage when he was a young boy. His love of trains brought them to Boston often and eventually they traveled cross-country by Amtrak, enjoying the scenery and creating many wonderful memories of a lifetime.
He followed his favorite sports with enthusiasm, but mostly he loved being with his family on every occasion.

In May of last year he was one of five veterans honored at a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Beverly where he was presented a plaque of recognition for his service.
He leaves behind his twins, Doris E. (Remon) Yandell of Peabody, and Donald E. Cushing and his wife Franny of Beverly; a son-in-law, Jon Hubbard of Salem; his grandchildren, Kathy (Cushing) and David Shipp, Linda (Cushing) and David Downey, Michelle (Cushing) and Scott Hoffman, Laurie (Remon) and Scott Corbin, Pamela (Remon) and Joseph Cloutier, and Scott and Danny Piotrowski; and several great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren; a niece and several nephews.

Besides his parents he was predeceased by a brother, Albert, and more recently a daughter Cheryl L. (Piotrowski) Hubbard of Salem.

The family thanks all the caregivers of Beverly Hospital, Lahey Health at Home and Ledgewood for the wonderful care he received.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a private family graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem at a later date.

Arrangements were made by Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Contributions may be made in his name to the First Baptist Church, 292 Lafayette St., Salem, MA 01970. Information, directions, condolences, at www.campbellfuneral.com.
Published on April 29, 2020

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