Robert Bullard Mitchell, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and cherished member of the community, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81 years old. Born on February 11, 1943, in Boston, son of Robert Amos Mitchell and Louise Appleton (Bullard) Mitchell. Bob graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1961. After High School, Bob attended RA Lister & Company Limited School in Dursley, Gloucestershire, England. He returned to his father's engine shop RA Mitchell Co., eventually taking over the business and growing it to be one of the most respected engine and generator companies in the industry. Bob was highly respected for his marine engineering expertise. Over the years, he became the largest Lister Petter Distributor in the country. In addition to his Marine work, he was very well known for selling and servicing the Kohler land-based generator brand for decades. He was most proud to have later become the First John Deere Marine dealer ever in 1990 and sold the first John Deere marine generator engine in the World to the F/V Narragansett. There are now 185 John Deere Marine dealers worldwide that know his name.

Bob was fiercely protective of the New Bedford Fishing Fleet and loved helping, problem solving and providing the best service.

Bob lived a life marked by kindness, generosity, and devotion to his family. He married Ann Elizabeth (Martin) Mitchell in 1970, with whom he shared a beautiful home in Fairhaven, MA. Together they raised three daughters and had a special bond and unwavering friendship. Their daughters truly admired their relationship.

As a father, Bob was a pillar of strength and wisdom to his three daughters, Heather, Jennifer, and Karen. He imparted invaluable lessons of love, resilience, and integrity, shaping their lives with his unwavering guidance and unconditional love. He taught them the importance of hard work and the Rotary motto of 'Service Above Self'. He encouraged them to volunteer and give back to the community.

Bob was also a cherished brother to Charles Gile Mitchell of Fairhaven, with whom he shared a bond forged through a lifetime of shared experiences, laughter, and mutual support. Charlie saw Bob as the best brother ever and over time filled roles as a protector, inspiration, a best friend, and an accomplished person greatly to be admired.

But perhaps one of Bob's greatest joys in life was found in his role as a grandfather. He was adored by his seven grandchildren, Reilly, Andrew, Alexa, Hayden, Connor, Peter, and Kaylei. He cherished every moment spent with them, creating memories that will be treasured for generations to come. He particularly loved taking them multiple times to his beloved island of Anguilla.

Bob was a dedicated partner to his very special friend Jean Carolyn Pegg of Freetown, MA for the last several years. Together they shared a love of boating, traveling, dining out, Saturday movies with friends and watching his favorite show 60 Minutes on Sunday.

Bob was very well known around Town and would often be seen having breakfast, lunch and dinner at many local restaurants. He often remarked that he made more sales having breakfast and lunch at Margaret's than he did at the shop. He treasured the friendships he made in his life and touched so many people with his kindness.

He was a member of multiple local organizations and clubs that supported the Community. Rotary Club was his passion as he was awarded the longevity award for over 48 years of service. He was a past President and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award. Among other organizations he was also on, The Board of Trustees of the Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation and served at times as Secretary and Treasurer over a more than 40-year span. During his tenure, he was instrumental in shepherding the original vision of the founders of the Foundation and the New Bedford Business Park; New Bedford Port Society, Founding member of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Proud sponsor of the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival & Tugboat Muster with his brother Charlie, Junior Achievement, New Bedford Harbor Master Plan Committee, New Bedford Chamber of Commerce – awarded Small Business Person of the Year, Salvation Army contributor and volunteer and so many more… His accomplishments were documented in 2017 and are a permanent record at the United States Library of Congress in Washington DC.

He is also survived by Heather's husband Ralph Whitehouse II of Plymouth, Jennifer's former husband Randy DeMello of Mattapoisett and Karen's husband Peter Joseph of Fairhaven. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, treasured cousins, and many special friends.

Bob would not have had the success he has had without the amazing, dedicated employees at RA Mitchell Co. He truly thought of all his employees as family. As a testament to how he treated his employees, the 22 current employees share a combined 285 years of service!

We would also like to thank his very dedicated care team over the last year that watched over him so lovingly. He sincerely loved and anticipated every change of shift with a welcoming smile and hug.

His Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 4-8 PM at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 31st at 11 AM in the Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers donations to the Robert Mitchell Rotary Scholarship Fund c/o Fairhaven Rotary Club, P.O. Box 261 Fairhaven, MA 02719.