Robert M. Lister

Robert M. Lister, 90, of Methuen, MA, passed away November 10, 2023, at his daughter’s home with his loving family by his side. He was born in Methuen in 1933 to Horace and Gladys Muriel (Ainsworth) Lister.

At the age of 17, Bob enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Korean Conflict from 1950-1954. He married in 1952 and had two daughters by 1954, and another daughter and two sons between 1965 and 1968. Bob held several jobs after leaving the Navy and finally got a job at then Western Electric in Lawrence, MA.

Bob chose to return to military service by joining the US Army Reserves. He finally left the military in the early 1970s. Throughout his Army career, Bob graduated 101st Screaming Eagle Airborne Jump School becoming a SEAL trainer before it was called SEAL TEAMS, Special Forces training, and earned the coveted Green Beret. He was proud to have served on the Shangri La, the Salisbury sound, and the Antietam. Bob served on the Antietam when it pulled into a British port to have the very first cantor deck installed on board and went out to sea to test the new deck.

After 36 years of service, Bob retired from AT&T (former Western Electric.) He said he seemed to always be in one school or another throughout his life. Bob got his pilot’s license and finally ended his student career by enrolling in Northern Essex College at the age of 58 and graduated at the age of 60 as a Licensed Practical Nurse serving in hospitals and nursing homes in Boston and Methuen, MA.

Bob is twice divorced, from his first wife, Jean Elsie Pearson 1952-1972 and his second wife, the late Marie Elaine Zappala 1982-1994.

Bob’s family includes his children, Jennifer Inese Kirlis and her husband the late Herbert Kirlis, Jean Louise Lister and her husband Stephen Whipple, Betty Joan Franklin and her husband David, Joseph Keighley Lister and his wife Kim, and Robert David Lister and his wife Erica; his 95 year old sister, Miriam; grandchildren, Dana, Chris, Stephen, Killian, Chris, Jessie, Joey, MaKayla, Tyler, Hayleigh, Patrick, Robbie, and the late Shayla Rose; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Destiny, and Elleigha; great-great grandchildren, Ayva, Brianna, Haven, Barrett, and Scarlett; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bob was also a cat and dog lover and had upwards of twelve cats and two dogs at one time.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Dorothy, Gladys, and Gordon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob’s memory to the MSPCA, Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844, and the DAV.org.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visiting period on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 AM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, (Rt. 113) Methuen. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel.