Actively involved in town’s business community
IPSWICH — Robert D. Killian, 84, husband of Cynthia (Sampson) Killian of Heard Drive, Ipswich, died peacefully in the Beverly Hospital on Dec. 2, 2014.
He was born in Boston, Nov. 29, 1930, son of the late Joseph and Josephine (McCarthy) Killian and was raised in Brighton, a graduate of Brighton public schools.
Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served with a guided missile group in Texas. Following his honorable discharge he continued his education nights at Northeastern University. He soon embarked on a career that eventually led him to open his own printing company, North Shore Printing in North Reading. Bob was actively involved in the business community of North Reading, having served as president of the North Reading Rotary Club where he received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award. He also devoted much of his time to many service projects in Ipswich as a 30 year member and past president of the Lion’s Club.
In addition to his loving wife of 54 years, he will be greatly missed by his two sons, David M. Killian and his wife Susan of Georgetown, Keith D. Killian of Ipswich; four grandchildren, Shannon and Jennifer Killian both of Georgetown, Madison and Connor Killian both of Ipswich; two nieces, Jennifer Barnard of New Canaan, Conn. and Lisa Gavin of Duxbury and all his friends. He was the brother of the late Donald J. Killian formerly of Newton.
His funeral was held Saturday, Dec. 6 from the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High St., Ipswich followed by the celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Hope Church, Ipswich. Interment with Army Honors followed in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery, Town Farm Road, Ipswich.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions will be gratefully accepted in Robert’s memory to Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 1310, Boston MA 02114 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). For directions or to send a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com.
