Nov. 19, 2010
Former UMass Lowell golf coach Robert T Callary, 78, of North Truro, died on Wednesday Nov. 3, 2010 at his home following a short illness surrounded by close family.
Born in Lowell, Mass., he was the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Connor) Callary and step son of Katharine (Brine) Callary. Growing up in Lowell's Centerville section, Bob spent most days playing sports at McPherson Park.
A 1949 graduate of Lowell High School, Bob was an exceptional athlete and still holds the Lowell High record for most RBIs in a single game (7). From 1950 to 1954 Bob served in the United States Air Force as a jet engine specialist. A staff sergeant, Callary was assigned to the 59th fighter interceptor squadron operating from Otis Air force base on Cape Cod, Goose Bay, Labrador and Thule, Greenland. His Air Force experience sparked a lifelong love of aviation.
On June 22, 1957 Bob married his high school sweetheart Mary Slavin who he was married to for 33 years before her death in 1990.
In 1961 Bob graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree from Springfield College while starring on the baseball and tennis teams. In 1963, he earned a Masters Degree from Fitchburg State College and began his teaching and coaching career at Provincetown High School.
From 1967 to 1997, Callary was a physical education professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and coached several sports in addition to Golf. In 1995, he was named the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Coach of the Year while leading the River Hawks to the NEIGA Division II championship.
In addition to his teaching career, Bob began to work summers for Provincetown Boston Airlines in 1967. For 43 years, he worked for various airlines at the Provincetown Airport including Cape Air this past summer. After retiring from the University of Lowell in 1997, Bob spent time between his beloved homes in Truro, Mass. and Marco Island, Fla.
Callary is survived by his sisters Joyce Gilligan of Lowell, Mass. and Joan Bureau of Salisbury, Mass; brother in-law, John Slavin of Pelham, N.H. and sister in-law Kaye Slavin McCarthy of Pelham, N.H.; He is also survived by his son Robert T. Callary Jr. of Lowell Mass., his daughters Shauna M. Werner and her husband Robert of Lowell, Mass.; Paula M Horton and her husband Chris of Newtown Square, Pa.; Lisa M. Perry and her husband Mark of Sandwich, Mass.
Callary had seven grandchildren: Patrick, Katharine, and Kelsey Werner, Christopher and Kayla Horton, and William and Caroline Perry. He also had many nieces and nephews including Christina Perry-Michaud of North Truro, Mass. He will also be sadly missed by Truman, Lily and Allie.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown, Mass. on Saturday November 6, 2010 at 12:30 pm. There will be no visiting hours.
