Robert Clifford Broker

Robert (Bob) Clifford Broker, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters on November 4, 2026. Born on May 13, 1935, in New Haven, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Margaret Teresa (Malone) and Edward August Broker. One of eight children, Robert was predeceased by his siblings Muriel (Ray) Figlewski, Ed (Peg) Broker, Shirley Broker, Jack Broker, Jean Broker, Jim (Anna) Broker, and Kathryn Gunneson.

Robert was the devoted husband and best friend of Carol, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage until her passing in June 2025. He is survived by their daughters, Annette Golub (Andy) of North Potomac, Maryland, and Cristina Blackburn (Chris) of Hingham, Massachusetts, and their four grandchildren, Jack, Ryan, Evan, and Sophia, who brought him immeasurable joy.

After graduating from Hillhouse High School, Robert began working as an assistant junior engineer with the Connecticut State Highway Department, eventually saving enough to attend the University of Connecticut. He went on to study at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and St. Mary's University in Baltimore, earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1958 and pursuing master’s studies in scripture and theology. He studied engineering at MIT and later earned an MBA from Boston College in 1982. In retirement, he continued taking classes through Boston University’s Evergreen Program. He could hold a captive audience for hours debating everything from the history of tea along the Silk Road to the Battle of Gettysburg. His lifelong pursuit of knowledge also deepened his faith. The writings of Thomas Merton, along with other spiritual thinkers, profoundly influenced his journey, encouraging a faith grounded in reflection, compassion, and respect for the dignity of every person. Ordained as a Catholic priest in 1962, he served as a pastor in New Britain, Connecticut, ministering to the Spanish-speaking community. An assignment to Puerto Rico deepened his lifelong love for its people and culture, a connection he later treasured sharing with his family on a return visit.

In 1971, Robert began a new chapter, joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. After transferring to Boston in 1973, he became regional director for New England within the Administration for Children and Families. Throughout his 25-year career, he remained dedicated to helping others and expanding opportunities for children and families in need. He later served as president and CEO of SERVE New England, a nonprofit food cooperative he had supported for many years.

Faith and service were central to Robert and Carol's life together. After meeting at a workshop on Latin America at the Friends Quaker Meeting House in D.C., they continued to nurture their shared faith and commitment to serving others throughout the years. Upon moving to Charlestown and eventually settling in Hingham in 1979, they made deep and lasting friendships within the community at Glastonbury Abbey. Robert’s faith was expressed not only through his earlier years as a priest, but through the way he lived: with a profound belief in the dignity of every person and a genuine desire to help anyone in need. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the ALS Foundation, Father Bill's Place, St. Francis House, the Hingham Senior Center, and served on Hingham's Wind Committee, advocating for renewable energy.

Robert had a rare gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, regardless of age or background, and people often walked away feeling they had made a lifelong friend. He was thoughtful and deeply curious, always interested in other people's stories and perspectives. His warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others were unmistakable, and it was not uncommon for someone who had just met him to share with his family, "I just love that man."

Robert found joy in so many things, but many of his happiest hours were spent outdoors, surrounded by nature and sharing the experiences he loved with family and friends. The ocean, in particular, held a special place in his heart. His childhood summers were spent at the family cottage at Mansfield Grove along the Connecticut shore, where days were filled with swimming, lively conversations, and watching the moon rise over Long Island Sound. His love of the water was shared by his siblings, a bond that carried from childhood into their later years, when they would still gather in the ocean, floating side by side and enjoying one another’s company. When he and Carol settled in Hingham in 1979, he felt he had found the next best thing to owning a beach house, living close to the ocean. Years later, in retirement, they spent their mornings walking Nantasket Beach together, often joined by close friends. The beach was his place of joy, peace, and wonder. He was eager to share that love first with his children, then his grandchildren, delighting in taking his first grandson, Jack, to the ocean at just six weeks old to dip his tiny feet in the water.

His love of the outdoors and sharing experiences with family continued throughout his life. As a father and Papa, he found joy in the simplest moments: jumping in the waves, walks in the snow at World's End, bike rides, trips for ice cream, family hikes, and laughter-filled afternoons. He had a deep appreciation for the world around him. Even on the coldest nights, he would often pause on his way into the house to look up at the stars and marvel at the night sky. That sense of wonder carried into so many of his interests. He earned his pilot's license, enjoyed scuba diving and cross-country skiing, and took great pride in growing a delicious variety of tomatoes each summer, finding joy in both outdoor adventures and the simple pleasures of tending his garden. He loved sharing these experiences with others and saw a special kind of spirituality in the beauty of creation.

Robert’s curiosity extended well beyond the outdoors. He was always interested in how things worked, where his family came from, and the stories and ideas that shaped the world around him. In 1984, when home computers were still relatively uncommon, he taught himself to build one, a testament to his curiosity, ingenuity, and eagerness to learn. His interest in family history was equally strong. Working alongside his cousin Paul Malone, he traced the Broker family roots to County Roscommon, Ireland. That discovery eventually brought him and Carol there, where they met the relatives whose family history he had worked so diligently to trace.

Music and storytelling were other ways Robert expressed his enthusiasm for life. A Dave Brubeck concert during his college years sparked a lifelong love of jazz. He also delighted in making up playful little songs on the spot, singing about whatever was happening or on his mind and bringing humor and happiness to even the simplest moments. He enjoyed reflecting on his

own experiences, too, eventually gathering his memories into an autobiography, Passing Through Camelot, which chronicled the first forty years of his life.

Above all, Robert was a man of extraordinary joy and a gift to all who knew him. He had a way of making those around him feel the depth of his love, whether through one of his unforgettable bear hugs, his warm, reassuring smile, or the sheer delight he took in being part of the world. He was steadfast and hopeful, never one to complain, and always eager for the next adventure or opportunity to connect with someone. He seemed simply happy to have a place on this planet, experiencing life alongside the people he loved. We were truly blessed to have been part of his life and, most of all, to have known the depth of his love. Robert leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, learning, service, curiosity, and joy. He will be profoundly missed by his family and by the countless people whose lives he touched.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 20, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street, Hingham, Massachusetts. A Mass celebrating Robert’s life will be held the following morning, Saturday, November 21, at 9:30 a.m. at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glastonbury Abbey in Robert’s memory.