Salem……





Robert A. "Bob" Couillard, age 78, of Salem Mass died Sunday morning December 5, 2010 at the Kaplin Family Hospice House, Danvers after a courageous 3 year battle with lung cancer. He and his loving wife Anna M. (O'Donnell) Couillard celebrated 55 years of marriage on November 19th 2010.



Born in Salem Mass, he was raised in Beverly by his mother, the late Antonina (Addonizio) Stillson. Bob then joined the United States Navy serving in the European Theater of operations aboard the USS Mississippi. Following his discharge, he met and married the love of his life, Anna, and began their family in Salem.



Bob was a well known stone mason on the North Shore and took great pride in his work. During his career, he was employed with local companies including C.B. Ganey Construction Company of Beverly and Raffaele Construction Company of Lynn. He took semi-retirement at the age of 75 and was forced to fully retire at the age of 77 due to his illness.



A 41 year active Life Member of the Beverly/Salem Lodge of Elks, #1309, Bob had served as an officer for 40 years, including Exalted Ruler and District Deputy and has also served as the Secretary for the past 30 years. He was very proud of the many friendships he has developed through his active commitment to his community through the lodge. In addition to the Elks, Bob was also an Honorary Life Member of the Italian Community Center (I.C.C) in Beverly.



Bob was a devout Catholic and attended services at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peabody of which he served as Eucharistic Minister for many years.



Bob was an avid golfer and member of the Wenham Country Club. He was a voracious reader and a movie buff who enjoyed going to the movies and sharing his vast movie and book collection with his family.



Surviving him in addition to his wife, Anna, are seven children, Robert A. Couillard, Jr and his wife Mary Ann of Orlando, FL; Thomas M. Couillard and his wife Kathy of Bradford; Linda M. Raymond and her husband Mark of Salem; Anthony J. Couillard and his wife Maureen of Beverly; Eileen M. Pagliarulo and her husband Mark of Beverly; Anne Marie Couillard of Salem; Denise M. Harrington and her husband Edward of Salem; five grandchildren, Cody and Joshua Raymond, Jordyn, Taylor and Eddie Harrington; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Marie Ann Couillard and brother of the late Donald Couillard and Kenneth Stillson.



His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 9:15 a.m. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 290 North St., Salem (on the Salem Peabody line) at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. An Elks Service will be held during visiting hours at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Kaplin Family Hospice House, c/o Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.