Robert B. Gaines Sr

Newport, RI - Robert B. ?Bob? Gaines, Sr., of Bacheller Street, Newport, passed away in the early morning Wednesday, August 16th. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years Hazel B. Greene Gaines, daughter Cheryl Williamson and her husband Kenneth of Woonsocket, RI and sons Robert B. Gaines Jr. of Middletown, RI, Bruce W. and Brett S. Gaines of Newport. Mr. Gaines was the father of the late Judith A. Gaines Bernard of Hanson MA. He leaves 5 grandchildren, Douglas M. and Tamara A. Bernard of Quincy, MA and Malik L., Martin D. and Jacqueline H. Gaines of Inglewood, CA. Bob was born at home on Second Street in Newport, October 26, 1924. He is predeceased by his parents Albert P. Gaines Sr. and Pauline P. Jackson Gaines. Bob is also survived by brothers William J. Gaines and former Newport Mayor Paul L. Gaines in addition to his two sisters Margaret Burton of Altadena CA and Estelle G. Drummond of Newport, he was also the brother of the late Albert P. Gaines Jr. Bob has many loving cousins, nephews and nieces. Bob worked for the City of Newport Water Department for 27 years, retiring in 1991 and was a member of AFSCME Counsel 94. He is best known as the crossing guard at Cranston Ave for many years until May of this year, a job he truly cherished. Never one to be idle he spent many hours working part time at various drycleaners in Newport including West End Cleaners, Valet Cleaners, Metropolitan Cleaners and most recently Polo Cleaners in Middletown. He was a veteran of World War II serving our nation in the South Pacific. He never told a war story, however often laughed about meeting two of his brothers in the South Pacific and helping one survive seasickness with ice cream.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2006, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.Burial and funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Aplastic Anemeia MDS International Foundation, PO Box 613, Annapolis MD 21401 or the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.