Robert, 84, from Brookdale Horizon Bay of Orange City in Orange City, Florida, is a lifelong New England Patriots fan. Robert was born, raised and spent his adult life in Nashua, New Hampshire. Nashua is on the border of Massachusetts, so the Patriots were the local team to cheer for. Robert always dreamed of attending a home game at Gillette Stadium, but never had the opportunity to do so. Robert Wished he could watch his favorite team at their home stadium.
Robert has spent the majority of his life giving back to others. On March 16, 1950, Robert joined the Navy and was sent to boot camp in the Great Lakes area. After going to Carolina with fleet marines, Robert went on to California and finally ended his military career in Hawaii on July 1, 1953. Robert served as a Coreman Third Class attached to the First Marine division in Korea. When he retired from the Navy Marine Corporation, Robert and his brother started to plan parties for mentally challenged children. They held five parties per year, and all of the proceeds from the parties went to sending the kids to camps. Robert raised about seven or eight thousand dollars each year and continued to hold the parties for 20 years.
Robert put his family first and worked long hours to support them. Supporting his family and fundraising for a cause he was passionate about took up much of Robert’s time. As a result he was never able to attend a Patriots home game, even though he lived 38 miles from Boston throughout his life. Every fall, Robert will bring his Patriots blanket down to the common room to let other residents know that the football season has started and to cheer on the Patriots! Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale Senior Living were excited to make Robert’s Wish a reality. Robert and his daughter, Deborah, got to fly to Boston to watch the Patriots defeat the Bengals live from Gillette Stadium. “Everything was outstanding! It was something I have always wanted to do,” said Robert.
