Plan for the Future
Robert Preston Cushing, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 19th, 2024. Bob was born on October 18, 1939, in Concord, MA, to Preston and Anne (Johnson) Cushing. As a child Bob lived in Seattle, WA before his family settled in Pocasset, MA. Growing up on Cape Cod, Bob enjoyed scuba diving, football, and Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Life Scout. Bob received All Cape honors for football and graduated valedictorian of the 1957 Bourne High School class. Bob then went on to earn a bachelors’ degree from Tufts University in Medford, MA.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jocelyn Daly Cushing; his son, David and his wife, Laura Cushing, of Mountainside, NJ; his daughter, Jeanne Simon, of Mendham, NJ; his daughter Courteney and her husband, Owain Rees, of Westfield, NJ; his beloved grandchildren Jack and Kelly Cushing, Colin and Whitney Rees and Christopher and Abigail Simon along with his niece Tara Monaghan and her husband, Joseph Pedicini, their daughter Una and nephew Keirnan Monaghan and his wife, Theo. Bob was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws, David and Helen Daly along with his sister-in-law, Erin Daly Monaghan.
Bob met the love of his life, Jocelyn, while they were working together at Guardian Life Insurance Company. The couple married in 1967 and lived in New York City before settling in Chatham, New Jersey, in 1970 where they raised their family. They provided a home, where everyone felt welcome and loved, and was often a second home and refuge for friends and family. Bob never knew who would be at the kitchen table (or playing pool in the basement) when he returned home from this daily commute from NYC, but he always welcomed them with his radiant smile and open arms.
Bob loved growing up on Cape Cod, and often returned with his family to show off his old stomping grounds. Bob was a devoted father and grandfather, happily driving David to his pre-dawn hockey practices as a child and always supporting his children’s and grandchildren’s various sporting, musical and theatrical endeavors.
Bob worked at North American Reassurance Company for 30 years before retiring as a Vice President. During his retirement, Bob discovered a love of cruising. Bob traveled the world with Jocelyn on his favorite Silver Seas cruise line, where their travels spanned from North, Central, and South America to Europe and Australia. He also took pleasure in rounds of golf with David and Owain. In addition to spending time with family and friends and traveling, Bob also loved watching the Triple Crown each spring and predicting the results. An occasional bet would often yield some winners. Bob could often be found in the dining room in the middle of piecing together one of his many jigsaw puzzles or in his favorite chair in the living room reading the newspaper or Racing Forum or working on crossword puzzles. Bob was also entertained by watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with his family, where he was especially adept at solving the Wheel of Fortune puzzles.
Bob was a family man who always led by example and put his family first. He fiercely protected those he loved. He especially treasured family get-togethers and celebrations with his tight-knit family. At each event, Bob offered an emotional toast, full of love, gratitude, and blessings for his family. Bob will be especially missed this Christmas, where his family will come together to offer their own tributes to a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name can be made to The Nature Conservancy or St Vincent’s Martyr Catholic Church in Madison, NJ.
