Robert Spinney

June 22, 1942 – April 26, 2013

Robert D. Spinney, 70, a resident of 165 Pine Cone Lane, Hinsdale since 2002, and formerly of Natick, MA died Friday, April 26, 2013 at his home.

Mr. Spinney was born in Cambridge, MA on June 22, 1942 the son of the late William and Dorothy Carr Spinney, he was a graduate of the Harvard University Trade Union Program. He served with the National Guard for several years.

Mr. Spinney worked thirty six years as a trade unionist and member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local # 17 and served as recording secretary, president, and financial secretary/treasurer; he retired from Local # 17 in the year 2000. He served as the director of the Labor Management Cooperation Trust Fund and also as a trustee of the Annuity Fund. He served on the boards of the Blue Cross and the University of Massachusetts Boston Labor Studies Program. He also served as chair of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Health and Safety Committee, was a member of the Massachusetts Water Resources Board of Directors from June of 1997 until April 2002. He maintained his commitment to Labor Unions in spite of his many years negotiating with members of the MWRA Labor Coalition; was a Delegate for many years for the Democratic State Committee; coached and coordinated "Comets" Youth Hockey in Natick, MA from 1968-1980; and was a fund raiser and coordinator for the Wednesday Child Ski Race at Waterville Valley, NH from 1980-2000.

Mr. Spinney is survived by his wife: Catherine A. Gallivan Spinney of Hinsdale; two sons: William "Bill" Spinney of Peru, MA, and Daniel "Dan" Spinney and his wife Sarah of Douglas, MA; his brother: Ronald Spinney and his wife Jane of Punta Gorda, FL; his sister: Ann "Nancy" Wenger and her husband Harold of Port Charlotte, FL, his aunt: Barbara Carr of Cambridge, MA; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Calling hours for ROBERT D. SPINNEY will be FRIDAY, May 3, 2013 at the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 East Main St., Dalton, MA from 4-7 PM. Funeral services will be SATURDAY May 4, 2013 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Patricks Church, Hinsdale followed by burial in St. Patricks Cemetery in Hinsdale. A calling hour will preceed the funeral from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made in Robert's memory to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.