Robert Dooley, 79, Was Navy Veteran and Teacher

Robert V. Dooley of Falmouth died Monday, Oct. 2, of Alzheimer's disease, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79.

He lived for many years in Longmeadow before retiring to the Cape in 1995. He spent 18 summers vacationing in Menemsha and drove a tour bus for 16 of those summers. The Vineyard was deeply embedded in his heart.

Born in Dorchester on Feb. 8, 1927, Bob was the son of Thomas P. and Helen Murray Dooley. He was raised in West Roxbury and attended Boston Latin School. He was graduated from English High School and St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. Avid in his pursuit of education, Bob earned a master's degree from Boston College and continued graduate studies in his field of chemistry at several universities.

Bob served in the Navy and was a veteran of World War II.

He was a dedicated teacher who taught for more than 40 years, retiring from Springfield Central High School in 1990. He was also the former executive secretary of the Springfield Education Association.

An avid bicyclist, Bob rode with the Springfield Cyclenauts and once rode across the state of Massachusetts.

He leaves his wife, Margaret (Nancy) Dooley of Falmouth; two sons, Robert V. Dooley Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Seaside, Calif., and James T. Dooley and his wife, Geralyn, of Monson; four daughters, Marybeth Horsington and her husband, John, of Syracuse, N.Y., Jane Rossi and her husband, Daniel, of West Tisbury, Joan Moore and her husband, John, of Roanoke, Va., and Kathleen Winans and her husband, Thomas, of Conway. He is also survived by 12 beloved grandchildren, Erin Moore Pierce, Katherine and Jack Moore, Megan, Kathleen and Molly Horsington, Christopher and Sarah Dooley, Jake and Hannah Winans and Ryan and Benjamin Rossi, and one great-grandchild, Kira Nichole Pierce. He also leaves two sisters, Marjory Renaud of Roseville, Calif., and Barbara Cavanaugh of Batavia, N.Y. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul Dooley, who died in World War II.

Bob's life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian burial on Friday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony's Church in East Falmouth. Interment will be in the National Cemetery in Bourne.

Contributions in Bob's memory can be made to Allegiance Hospice, P.O. Box 752, Sagamore, MA 02561 or the Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts Chapter, 311 Arsenal street, Watertown, MA 02472. The Dooley family is deeply grateful to the caring, loving and supportive staff and residents of Forestview Nursing Home in Wareham and Allegiance Hospice.

Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook.