Obituary for Robert Anthony Carleo Sr.
Robert A.“Poppops” Carleo Sr. of Newton, Massachusetts, passed away on September 6th, after 91 years of a life filled with love and laughter. His day of passing would have been the 69th wedding anniversary for him and the love of his life, the predeceased Anne Marie Carleo (nee Dunphy).
Born on January 14, 1930 to the late Nicholas and Leticia Carleo, and predeceased by his sister Yvonne and brother Raymond. Bob was born and raised in New York City graduating from Bishop Laughlin High School in Brooklyn and Manhattan College in the Bronx with a degree in Civil Engineering. Bob served in the Army National Guard’s 165th Infantry Division for more than a decade, both in New York and in Massachusetts. Following graduation Bob and Anne Marie moved to the Boston area to begin what became an over 50-year career in highway engineering, with projects including the Mass Pike extension and the “Big Dig”. Bob continued his education obtaining a Master’s degree from Northeastern University in Hydraulic Engineering in 1964 - the same year he became a father to his 7th child.
Settling in West Newton, Bob and Anne Marie raised seven Carleo children in a house filled with laughter and music. Not a day went by without a new joke or a new song. Bob and his family were very actively involved in their church, politics, civil rights, and organizations including Freedom School, METCO, and the Newton Community Development Foundation. When Bob was not working, he was singing “the old songs” with his barbershop group, playing the harmonica, and - most famously- whistling. His whistle was loved by all who knew him and heard by many who didn’t know him! Bob was a devoted Catholic and a founding member of the Newman House Catholic community in Newtonville. He lived everyday as an example of kindness, charity, and friendship. Beyond his time in Newton, Bob and his family spent many summer days enjoying the water and sunsets at their cabin on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham NH.
At 78 Bob retired from his highway work, which allowed him more time for his biggest passion in life, which was being “Poppops” to his 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Nothing made him happier than watching them grow, sing, and laugh. He enthusiastically celebrated each of their many accomplishments with heartfelt pride and joy. Beyond his direct family, Poppops also happily served as a father and grandfather figure for many others in our community.
Bob leaves behind children, Elizabeth Capstick and her husband, Robert, of Newton, Robert Carleo Jr. and his wife, Diane McCarron, of Andover, Donna Vello and her husband, William, of Needham, John Carleo and his wife, Karla, of Revere, Christopher Carleo of Roslindale, Joseph Carleo of Provincetown, and Thomas Carleo and his wife, Veronica, of Newburyport. Poppops will be missed by his grandchildren Matthew and Jessica Capstick-Dempsey of Newburyport; Robert III and Vivi Carleo of Hastings-On-Hudson, NY; Brian Vello; Kathleen Capstick; Michael Vello; Nicolas Carleo; Joseph Carleo; Jack Carleo; Cailin Carleo; Sara Carleo; TJ Carleo and his great-grandson Caleb Capstick-Dempsey. He is also survived by his beloved brother-in-law Jim and his wife Rose Dunphy of Holbrook, NY, Teresa Carleo of NYC and the extended Dunphy and Carleo families in NY and NJ.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 10AM in St. Bernard Parish, 1523 Washington St. West Newton, interment will be private. Visiting hours are Wednesday, September 8th from 3-6PM in the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St. West Newton. Fully vaccinated guests are welcome to attend, masks are required. For those unable to attend, an online guestbook is available to sign at BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com
The Carleo family greatly appreciates and thanks the tremendous staff at Peace of Mind Home Health Care especially Radah Mahabir, Cabot Park Village in Newton, as well as the incredible team of medical professionals at Tufts Medical Center in Boston for their devoted and caring treatment of him over the many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Tufts Medical Center (https://giving.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/give).
Born on January 14, 1930 to the late Nicholas and Leticia Carleo, and predeceased by his sister Yvonne and brother Raymond. Bob was born and raised in New York City graduating from Bishop Laughlin High School in Brooklyn and Manhattan College in the Bronx with a degree in Civil Engineering. Bob served in the Army National Guard’s 165th Infantry Division for more than a decade, both in New York and in Massachusetts. Following graduation Bob and Anne Marie moved to the Boston area to begin what became an over 50-year career in highway engineering, with projects including the Mass Pike extension and the “Big Dig”. Bob continued his education obtaining a Master’s degree from Northeastern University in Hydraulic Engineering in 1964 - the same year he became a father to his 7th child.
Settling in West Newton, Bob and Anne Marie raised seven Carleo children in a house filled with laughter and music. Not a day went by without a new joke or a new song. Bob and his family were very actively involved in their church, politics, civil rights, and organizations including Freedom School, METCO, and the Newton Community Development Foundation. When Bob was not working, he was singing “the old songs” with his barbershop group, playing the harmonica, and - most famously- whistling. His whistle was loved by all who knew him and heard by many who didn’t know him! Bob was a devoted Catholic and a founding member of the Newman House Catholic community in Newtonville. He lived everyday as an example of kindness, charity, and friendship. Beyond his time in Newton, Bob and his family spent many summer days enjoying the water and sunsets at their cabin on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham NH.
At 78 Bob retired from his highway work, which allowed him more time for his biggest passion in life, which was being “Poppops” to his 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Nothing made him happier than watching them grow, sing, and laugh. He enthusiastically celebrated each of their many accomplishments with heartfelt pride and joy. Beyond his direct family, Poppops also happily served as a father and grandfather figure for many others in our community.
Bob leaves behind children, Elizabeth Capstick and her husband, Robert, of Newton, Robert Carleo Jr. and his wife, Diane McCarron, of Andover, Donna Vello and her husband, William, of Needham, John Carleo and his wife, Karla, of Revere, Christopher Carleo of Roslindale, Joseph Carleo of Provincetown, and Thomas Carleo and his wife, Veronica, of Newburyport. Poppops will be missed by his grandchildren Matthew and Jessica Capstick-Dempsey of Newburyport; Robert III and Vivi Carleo of Hastings-On-Hudson, NY; Brian Vello; Kathleen Capstick; Michael Vello; Nicolas Carleo; Joseph Carleo; Jack Carleo; Cailin Carleo; Sara Carleo; TJ Carleo and his great-grandson Caleb Capstick-Dempsey. He is also survived by his beloved brother-in-law Jim and his wife Rose Dunphy of Holbrook, NY, Teresa Carleo of NYC and the extended Dunphy and Carleo families in NY and NJ.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 10AM in St. Bernard Parish, 1523 Washington St. West Newton, interment will be private. Visiting hours are Wednesday, September 8th from 3-6PM in the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St. West Newton. Fully vaccinated guests are welcome to attend, masks are required. For those unable to attend, an online guestbook is available to sign at BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com
The Carleo family greatly appreciates and thanks the tremendous staff at Peace of Mind Home Health Care especially Radah Mahabir, Cabot Park Village in Newton, as well as the incredible team of medical professionals at Tufts Medical Center in Boston for their devoted and caring treatment of him over the many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Tufts Medical Center (https://giving.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/give).