Robert H. "Bob" Haas

We regret to announce the passing of Robert “Bob” H. Haas of Dorchester, MA.  He died at age 78, on December 2, 2022 with his cousin Stephen Gatter by his side.  He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Margaret (Trost) Haas. He is survived by his brother Russell and sister-in-law Christine, nephew Roland, nieces Katherine and Valerie McKay, and grandnephew Remi McKay.

Bob will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and community. After graduating from Brown University (Bachelors in Engineering, 1966) and Columbia University (Masters in Electrical Engineering, 1967), Bob lived most of his adult life in Dorchester, moving to Monadnock Street in 1971. He soon became a fixture in the community, where he served as a leader at Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation for 14 years and then at the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, where he was a founding member, director, and dedicated volunteer. Concurrently, he served as founder and president of the Uphams Corner Westside Neighborhood Association for almost 30 years and a founding member of Upham’s Corner Main Streets.  

A man of many accomplishments, perhaps his most proud was a meticulous restoration of his 1870s Victorian Home.  Bob made his house a home to many, young and old, who found it a place of refuge and rebirth over the last 50 years. A trained classical concert pianist, he was known for performing professionally and for entertaining countless guests at his home with impromptu concerts. As a photographer, he documented community events and his travels abroad in Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and the Cape Verde islands. Funds from the sales of his photographs supported community initiatives in his neighborhood. Bob was also committed to missional living, a devout Catholic, Bob was an active member of many faith communities over the years, including St. Clement's (1970s), St. Ann's, St. Cecilia’s (present), Faith & Sharing, and Quincy Street Missional Church. 

A candlelight vigil will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022, at 6:00 PM, in front of 29 Monadnock Street, Dorchester.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bob’s life by gathering for a visiting hour in St. Cecilia Church, 18 Belvidere Street, Boston, on Saturday morning, December 10, 2022 at 9:00 A.M. Followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M.

Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Ceremony, 920 Adams Street, Dorchester. 

A community lunch will follow at 1:00 PM at DSNI, 550 Dudley Street, Roxbury, where family, friends, and community are all welcome.

Flowers can be sent to St. Cecilia Church for services on Saturday morning and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Cecilia Church or to the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI).