Robert "Bobby" Donachie

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Important Notice:  Bobby’s Celebration of Life has been postponed.

A Car Show is being planned for early summer. Come enjoy seeing Bobby’s car and many others, to honor Bobby’s memoryand continue to support “Bobby’s girls.” For more information check your social media.

Robert “ Bobby” Donachie, found his family and waited to come home for many years. He was eight years old. Officially Robert Edward Donachie he was born in Brockton on 

December 26,1980. He joined his brother, Michael, and his biological mother, who tried to be a single parent family as his biological father had already left them. His mother worked several jobs but didn’t make enough money to support the boys and her drug addiction. So, one day she brought them to thebabysitter and never came back. They lived with the babysitter and her husband for too many years as they pretended to be their parents. A teacher felt there was something strange about the family’s interactions and asked the Department of Social Services to investigate. The social worker found two frightened, neglected and abused young boys. She took Michael right away to a Foster Home but left Bobby alone without his brother for weeks until it was decided Bobby needed to join his brother. In this Foster home the physical abuse stopped but the neglect continued. They were treated as outcasts and sent to the Salvation Army for their meals, their clothes were often dirty and their shoes too small. Their Christmas gifts came from the Salvation army. They received no encouragement, nurturing or love. This painful beginning was not all of Bobby’s life. He was more than a survivor, he grew with inner fortitude, determination and perseverance. To most people who knew him, he always provided assurance that he was “fine.” The story of his beginnings was one he wanted shared, to tell people to always care & protect children, to tell people that there were thousands of children without families, and that we can do something to change a child’s world and future. Yet, Bobby hadonly shared bits and pieces of the three families that impacted his life, himself. So as promised it is shared here.

Timing is everything sometimes. Bobby and his brother were free for adoption as our adoption home study was finished. There were many adventures ahead as we grew as a family. Bobby always remained quiet and shy but blossomed in school and at home. He arrived so small and skinny. Well, anyone who knew Bobby knows he stayed skinny, but we loved watching him grow. Bobby was always curious and busy. He enjoyed camping, fishing, running races, winter skiing, roller blading, speed skating, and riding his bike. He joined Little League and Boy Scouts. He would light up during the family holidays and was so surprised every Christmas that he got that important gift, the one he asked for. He loved the kittens that were found in the chicken coop and would look for our dog, Sammy first whenever he came home from school, or anywhere.

Bobby had a gift. He could take anything apart and put it back together again. In his teenage years his passion and natural skill were obvious. When Bobby was accepted into Bridgewater Raynham Vocational School it was there that he began todevelop his lifelong skills as a master mechanic. After graduation, he worked for a few small garages until he was hired and worked for 20 years at Quirk Kia in Braintree, MA. He left once to try to start his own garage with his good friend, Drew,but soon returned. Bobby would still be there if he hadn’t got sick. Bobby’s family is thankful for the support provided by Quirk at the end of his life.  

When Bobby wasn’t at work his attention was on caring for his daughters. Those girls got their own education as mechanics as they played beside him and actually contributed to building, restoring and creating his “Magnificent Mustang GT.” Together they worked, prepared it and took it to car shows. His primary job was to care for the girls, getting them ready for school, going to their school events and loving them in his quiet, affectionate way, remembering what it was like not to be loved and he lovedthem every day. 

Bobby ‘s sister, Lara, his Nana & Papa predeceased him. Thefamily that remains to grieve his physical presence are his brother, Michael, his adopted parents, Bevan Tulk, and James Donachie, his brothers, Bryan and Ben. Also, close to Bobby were his Auntie Joan and Uncle Bill, and his cousins, Allison and Mark. He also left many family members in Florida, many good friends, neighbors and co-workers. But most important are three beautiful girls that knew him as Dad, Brianna, Faith and Serenity. Bobby loved being a dad, getting his hands dirty,working on a car, being with his family and friends. He was taken from us all far too soon, much too quickly yet lived a full, productive and meaningful life. Bobby left us knowing he loved,and he was loved. His death was a gentle leaving, a peaceful death surrounding by the love of family, friends and God. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bobby" Donachie, please visit our floral store.