Robert Marshall Mitchell Jr. of Harvard, died August 30 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital due to a heart attack. He was 76.
Born June 1, 1938 in Boston to Robert and Janet Sawyer Mitchell, he was raised in Wellesley and graduated from Wellesley High after attending Fessenden and Belmont Hill. From a young age, Mitch embodied the entrepreneurial spirit, working as a Fuller Brush salesman and starting up car simonizing and Hole in One club businesses as well as the dear-to-his-heart M & M Landscaping Company. He earned his college degree from nearby Babson College, where he garnered the college’s distinguished Business Initiative award and was instrumental in the founding of the men’s hockey program. Several of his friendships with his Delta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers would last a lifetime. Upon graduation he joined the B.F. Goodrich Company as a salesman, covering the New England region. He would later join the Hope Company and go on to a lifetime career in industrial sales and distribution, culminating with his founding of Omni Services Inc. in Worcester in 1976. As founder and CEO for nearly 40 years, his company thrives to this day and, aside from his family, Omni Services remained his one true love, his baby.
Mitch will be remembered for his profound belief in the good of people. This belief, combined with his natural optimism and strong can-do attitude were at the heart of his personal and business success and help explain both his exceptional personal generosity, as well as his penchant for taking risks. In his approach to life, Mitch was an honorary member of the Go Big or Go Home Club. Half-measures were decidedly not his style. His belief in the power of technology was yet another testimony to his progressive nature, a man who was always looking forward to see opportunity — never backward, and never with regret.
He liked gardening and reading on his Kindle. He was a diehard supporter of his New England sports teams. As a talented golfer, he enjoyed many of his favorite days on the fairways of Oak Hill, the International and Kittansett. He loved to travel, albeit to a certain standard. Introduced at an early age to Bermuda, he maintained his affection for the island throughout his life. His other island love was Martha’s Vineyard, and between these two special places, he created a lifetime of unforgettable experiences and wonderful memories for his family and dear friends. Everyone who knew Mitch well will remember fondly the twinkle in his eyes, his impish grin and his unique local accent that even his dear Siri wrestled to comprehend. Robert Marshall Mitchell Jr. will be missed deeply by many.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan; his younger brother Chris and wife Susan; and his two beloved daughters, Karen Brandvold and Sandy Sloan, their husbands Paal and Scott, and his four grandchildren: Connor, Amalie, Liam and Victoria — and his granddog Zoey.
A memorial service was held Sunday, Sept 7, at the International Golf Club in Bolton. Those who wish may make memorial gifts to Babson College Men’s Hockey Team, c/o Babson College, P.O. Box 57310, 231 Forest street, Babson Park, MA 02457, or the American Diabetes Association NE Chapter, 10 Speen street, 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701. Friends may visit the memorial page at actonfuneralhome.com.
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