Robert Anthony Gaston

Robert Anthony Gaston, 77, a proud veteran of the United States Navy, died comfortably on April 6, 2024 at the Alliance Healthcare Center in Braintree after a long period of declining health. Robert, known as Bob, Bobby or BBB, leaves behind a loving family and many friends. 

Robert grew up in various locations around Dorchester’s Meeting House Hill and in Roslindale. He attended Dorchester and Roslindale schools and was a graduate of Boston Tech.  At 17, he joined the Navy and he was stationed on several different aircraft carriers and at various locations around the world, including Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippine Islands. Robert’s time in the service and his status as a Viet Nam Veteran were a source of lifelong pride. After his honorable discharge from the Navy after Nine years of service, he returned home to Dorchester and began working as a Postal Worker at the US Post Office. His career lasted for over 25 years.  He also earned his Bachelor's degree from UMass Boston. He was a resident of Dorchester and Quincy for the past 15 years after raising his two daughters in Stoughton for almost 20 years.

Robert was an avid football fan, a voracious reader, and a dedicated student of history but he liked nothing more than spending time with his family. Robert seldom missed a birthday party, graduation or any other family event.  He will be missed. 

Robert is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Holyoke and Sandra Gaston and partner Derek Elwood, his grandsons Robbie Gaston and Nathan Elwood, his former wife, Ellen Milling, his sisters, Louise “Sis” Cooper, Rita Marie Haney, and Rose King and her husband Brian King.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, uncle, aunt, and cousins. He also leaves behind his bonus families, the Cronins, Roches, and Lanes whom he loved as his own.

Robert is pre-deceased by his parents, Frank and Rita Gaston, his brother Danny, his son-in-law George Holyoke, his brothers-in-law Sam Cooper, Bob Mullen, and Jim Haney, and his longtime companion, Diane Cronin.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the St. Oscar Romero Church (formerly St. John the Evangelist), 700 Washington St., Canton, on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10 AM. Burial at Sea of his Cremated Remains will be done with Military Honors by the US Navy at a later date.