Robert ‘Bob’ Gomes

1936 – 2022

PUTNAM — Robert “Bob” Louis Gomes, 85, of Putnam and Webster (Lake), Mass., died Jan. 9, 2022. He was born Feb. 13, 1936, in Somerville, Mass., and was a 1953 grad of Dedham High School. He married Carol (Papanti) Gomes and they had a daughter, Donna (Gomes) Gilbert of Thompson. Later he married Dianne (Kearns) Gomes.

Blessed with hands gifted in mechanics and music, he started his career at 15 at the neighborhood garage. In 1984 he opened Gomes Total Chrysler. In 20 years he transformed it from a small former gas station into a Chrysler Five Star showplace. After that — retirement being a foreign word — he opened Woodstock Piano & Music.

He was known for working hard, projects, generosity, and always giving people a chance. He played six instruments by ear.

Lake Winnipesaukee was his favorite place; he built two island cottages there. He celebrated 50 years as a Master Mason and was a former member of automobile organizations and the Putnam Rotary Club. He was a member of the South Woodstock Baptist Church.

Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 22 at the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a Masonic Service at 7:30. The Church Service is at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23 at the South Woodstock Baptist Church, Roseland Park Road. In lieu of flowers, donations: South Woodstock Baptist Church, PO Box 86, South Woodstock, CT 06281. Attn.: Trish. (in memo: “Camperships”). Why? We passed by a church summer camp each week and without fail he would talk about how wonderful it was when he went to church summer camp when he was a boy. He wants to help children that otherwise might not get that experience of a lifetime he had. www.GilmanandValade.com.