He was born in Boston, where he started his career at WHDH radio in the forties. It was there that he and his comic partner, Ray Goulding first developed their own brand of brilliant comedy, which included an ensemble of lovable, off centered characters, like Wally Ballou, Tex Blaisdell, Mary Backstage, and the McBeeBee twins. It wasn’t long before New York was calling and their career moved from radio to television and eventually to film.
Besides a stellar career that spanned over five decades, Bob was an accomplished painter, writer, carpenter, World War II vet, crossword and Sudoku master, and the father of five children.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lee, who passed in 2012.
Bob and Lee raised their family on the Upper East Side of Manhattan – eventually moving to Maine where they lived permanently in the house that Bob built. Bob was a wonderful father and grandfather, and a renaissance man who was always busy with some project or another, and in 1992 was awarded an honorary degree from Bowdoin College.
Besides his five children, Bob is survived by eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was surrounded by his family when he passed. His gentle sense of humor, compassion, and love will be sorely missed.
To Bob’s wishes, private family services will be held. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.c om. Memorial contributions can be made to Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, ME 04011 or the Cundy’s Harbor Fire Department, c/o Burr Taylor 45 Taylor Rd. Harpswell, ME 04079.
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