Calling hours will be held in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Friday, August 26, from 9:30–11:30 am. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday in Saint Anthony di Padua Church, 84 Salem St., Fitchburg at 12:00 noon. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131 or to the MSPCA-Angell Attn:Donations 350 South Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02130, as Bob had a stong love for all animals.
Robert (Bob) Norman Gingue – generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend – passed away in his sleep at home in Marstons Mills, MA, on Sunday, August 21, 2022.
Bob was born to Norman and Theresa (Lavoie) Gingue in Fitchburg, MA, on August 15, 1944. He graduated from Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg before attending Lowell Tech (University of Massachusetts at Lowell) in 1966, graduating with honors in 1970 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He began his 40+ year career in the plastics industry, first with Great American Chemical as Head of Development Engineering then as Vice President of Operations at the former Abbott Industries Inc., later with (Alpha) Gary Corporation as Executive Vice President, General Manager, moving to President in 1991 and then Managing Director in 1993.
The majority of Bob’s career was with Alphagary, heading the technical development activities and guiding the team through two decades of growth and change. Under Bob’s leadership, the business grew from one location in Leominster, Massachusetts, to three locations including a greenfield site in Melton Mowbray, UK. Bob is credited with helping to create the industry-leading communications cable jacket product, SMOKEGUARD, a material that revolutionized the data communications cable space in the late 1980s, earning a patent and an established place in the industry that is still relevant today. His efforts also resulted in the marketing of a wide range of other specialty compounds, establishing Gary Chemical as a prominent leader in both footwear and automotive markets. In 2000, Bob received the Charles D. Scott Distinguished Career Award from the WMCA (Wire & Cable Manufacturer’s Alliance) underlining his contribution to Alphagary and the wire & cable industry. Until his retirement in 2011, Bob passionately managed through four ownership changes, leaving an undeniable impact on co-workers, customers, suppliers and colleagues as he maneuvered shifting industry dynamics and the everchanging landscape of business development.
An avid hockey player, Bob played in after-work leagues for years. He took up skiing in the mid-90s, spending the majority of his vacation time in Snowbird Utah where he enjoyed tearing through the black diamond ski runs during the day and relaxing with a good glass of wine in the evenings. In the early 90s, Bob built his home in Marstons Mills and quickly took to boating, mooring his 46’ Sea Ray “Snowbird” in Osterville. He spent the weekends frequenting Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard during the Summer months and relished the quiet of Cape Cod during the winter months, often spending time at the Hyannis Yacht Club. Bob found solace in woodworking, putting his engineering mind to work on household projects. In his later years, he rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle as often as possible, preferring this method of transportation for his work commute even through inclement weather.
Bob is survived by his wife, Carol (Dooley) Gingue; his daughter Robin Scott and her husband John; his granddaughters Haley DiMeco and her husband Dominic, Maddisen Scott, and Mary Scott; a great grandson Leo DiMeco; several nieces and nephews.