Robert Joseph Willett Sr., of Old Town, Maine passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the age of 91.  Robert was born November 20, 1931, in Old Town to Francis and Flora Willett.   The youngest of three, Robert was known affectionately as "Bobby" by his brother Albert, sister Rita and a multitude of cousins that lived on the same block next to the mill in Great Works.

Robert attended John Baptist High School in Bangor, exceling in math and graduating in 1950.  He studied electrical engineering at University of Maine at Orono, class of 1954.  Before graduating, Robert married his long-time sweetheart, Patricia Ann Duplissa.  They welcomed a daughter, Sharon, a year later.  After a short time in New Jersey, they relocated to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri when Robert was drafted by the U.S. Army.  While in Missouri, they welcomed a son, Robert, Jr.

After the Army, the family returned to NJ where he went on to receive his master's degree in electrical engineering at NYU. Robert began a successful career at Bell Labs.  A brilliant engineer, Robert's team was responsible for multiple patents held by Bell Labs for hardware and software technologies that made up what became the modern-day long-distance telephone network.  While in NJ, "Bob and Pat" welcomed their third child, Michael.

Robert's Bell Labs career progressed as he and other engineers relocated to Illinois in 1966 to open a new campus of Bell Labs.  A few years after settling into their home in Winfield, IL, they welcomed their fourth child, John.  There were many highlights of Robert's career at Bell Labs, but his proudest was being made a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff which recognized his contributions as a pioneer in the telecommunications industry.  Robert retired from AT&T in 2000.  While living in Illinois, Robert also volunteered his time to the community, at his church, at a homeless shelter, he taught inner city students and brought Holy Communion to the elderly.

Shortly before his beloved Pat passed away in 2005, they relocated back to New Jersey and Bob transitioned into his 'retirement' by working full-time for Michael's company, Advanced Biomedical Research, Inc. (ABR). Robert designed the company's first website and directed a Clinical Information Systems department and was a senior manager, dear friend, mentor, and colleague to many at ABR. Robert was blessed to work with his son, his granddaughter Lauren, and his grandson Ben.  Ben and Grampy spent precious time together collaborating on a lab automation project in the ABR research clinic.

In 2019 Robert moved back to Maine to live with his sister Rita McGlinchey, and her son Patrick and daughter-in-law Karin.   Robert loved being "home" at Pushaw Lake in Maine.  He enjoyed being with family and watching beautiful lake sunsets with his beloved Boston terrier, Max.

Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Patricia, his father and mother Francis Albert Willett, Sr., and Flora Ellen (Perry) Willett, his brother Francis Albert, Jr., and grandson Matthew Brinkman.  He is survived by his four children, Sharon (David) Brinkman, Robert, Michael, and John (Shanna), as well as his seven grandchildren, Alyssa (Kevin) Colborn, Jess (Ernie) Tromp, Benjamin (Vanessa), Lauren (Nick) Willett, Dana (John) Willett, Caleb, and Jackson.  He was also blessed with five beautiful great-grandchildren. "Uncle Bobby" was also loved by a multitude of nieces and nephews who he treasured.

Visitation will occur on Friday, August 11th, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ, 08887.  A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 12th at 9;00 a.m. at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Roman Catholic Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, 08822 followed by interment at Saint Magdalen Cemetery, 94 North Main Street, Flemington.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert's memory may be made to your local animal shelter, The Father Center in Trenton, Isles in Trenton, or Catholic Charities in Metuchen or Trenton, NJ.