Obituary of Robert G. Hood

Robert (Robin) George Groombridge Hood, 81 years of age, from Carver Massachusetts,  passed away on March 21, 2020, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born on June 27th 1938, in Strandtown, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. His family moved to Datchet, England when he was quite young. The son of Margaret (Ballantine) and Robert Hood, Robin was the eldest of 7 brothers, Brian, Desmond and his wife Julie, Dermot and his wife Christine, Vincent, and his wife Moira, Sean and his wife Mary and Kieran and his former wife Carol Hood.

He was married to Angela Mae (Mavis) Ballantine Hood on June 25, 1960 and fathered 4 children before arriving to America. The 5th child was the first US citizen. After Mavis’s passing in 1991, he married long time friend Violet (Winnie) Culbert in 1993, after the passing of her husband Robert Culbert. Robin and Winnie were married for 27 happy years, traveling and enjoying life.

He was educated at Imperial College, London. For most of his career, he worked as an engineer for Gillette, starting in England and then transferring to the United States in 1970. While working at Gillette, he was known as a resourceful creative problem solver. After retiring in  1995, Robin and Winnie traveled throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as the United States. He became a US citizen in Boston, Massachusetts in 1996.

Robin’s passion for outdoors was revealed through his many camping trips and gardening. He also enjoyed watching the birds and had made bird houses. When his family was young, he liked to put together bicycles from parts and give them to children without bicycles. He had a particular place in his heart for Naushon, the family dog, and during his later years, Louie, the “therapy” cat.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, hosting and attending gatherings large and small. He would entertain the children with fantastic creative stories, regale the adults with elaborate and detailed anecdotes from his travels and family history, and engage all in jeopardy trivia. His love of knowledge and experience was met with a quirky wit, calling everyone Fred and being known as Robin Hood from England.

Robin was a member  and Past Master of Orphans’ Hope Masonic Lodge of Weymouth, The Kilwinan Lodge and deputy commissioner for Clan Campbell in Virginia. He joyfully attended Scottish Highland Games across the US.

He is survived by his wife Winnie. He leaves behind his children Angela MacNeill, Rob Hood and his wife Rosie, Nicola Fernald and her husband Chris, Niall Hood and his wife Susan Day, and Michael Hood. He also had influence in the life of Roberta Culbert-Costley and her husband Tom, Michael Culbert and his wife Anne Murphy. He was Granda to Allen Hood, Robert, Benjamin Hood and Erica Spaulding, Jillian Drain and her husband Cody, Darren MacNeill, Christopher, Michael and Lilli Fernald and Parker Hood. Robin was also important to Heather, Shane and Caitlin Costley, Erin and Aidan Culbert. Great grandchildren include Starr Costley, Willow Purchase, Niall Hood and Henry Spaulding.

The funeral service will take place at Shepard Funeral Home,116 Main St., Carver Massachusetts on Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 am. He will be buried in High St. Cemetery, Hingham Massachusetts.

Dad until we meet again…The memories will be with me for my remaining years, your loving son, Robin

Dad, I will always remember the things you taught me, the adventures and places we visited. Also your sometimes twisted humor. Always, Angie.