In 1951 Bob, his wife Janet and their two children, Doug & Dale, moved to Marion. This same year, they joined the First Congregational Church. Shortly after joining the church, Bob became very interested in the church property, especially the maintenance and upkeep and even today, 53 years later, his interest in these properties has not diminished, but has become stronger as he heads up property advisory committees.
The Captain’s Meeting House was the familiar name of the structure we now call the First Congregational Church of Marion. After it’s construction in 1841, the church served as a central gathering place for the community and Marion village literally grew up around it.
In the 1960’s, Mr. Thackeray was chairman of a committee that headed up a major renovation of the church sanctuary. Then in the early ‘70’s he was General Chairman of a building committee that recognized the need for a building that not only would add additional space for the church but, would provide a meeting place and service center for this growing community. In 1972, the Community Center was completed and has been reaching out to the community for the past 32 years. For his dedication & devotion to establish a Community Center, a room has been designated, “The Thackeray Room.”
Over the past 53 years, Mr. Thackeray has worked very closely with builders and architectural firms to meet the standards he set to renovate and update the church properties. He also found time to participate in committees such as church trustee, meeting house historical committee, church directory, church fair as MC, procurement of the church parsonage, couples club, Sunday School teacher and with his wife Janet, they have served 16 years with the soup kitchen.
Bob’s participation in activities is not limited to the First Congregational Church. For the last 12 years he has served on the Board of Directors of Coastline Elderly, which employs 200 people who serve and deliver 1600 meals per day to the needy. Over the last few years Bob has actively pursued contacting WWII Veterans to march in the town parades. Bob also spent years helping the July 4th Marion Horse Show be a success. When we speak of dedication & devotion to this town of Marion, you only have to look at the Zoning Board of Appeals where he has been a member for the last 32 years – beginning as an alternate in 1972 and a regular member since 1975. Just remarkable! Mr. & Mrs. Thackeray religiously attend the 40B Hearings in Boston – taking the charter bus up every time. On one of these trips I asked Mr. Thackeray about his many years of service and he told me that he loved the town of Marion and wanted to preserve it’s character and quality of life.
Bob’s marriage to Janet is in their 61st year and will be celebrated by their son & daughter, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. This is a tribute to his standards of devotion and dedication. He has carried these standards to his church, town and workplace (having worked for the Acushnet Company for 36 years).
Mr. Thackeray displays leadership qualities for all to see and many to follow.
I’m pleased to present this year’s Annual Sippican Historical & Preservation Society Award to Bob Thackeray.
Submitted by
Deborah Stinson
&
Bob Jones
