Obituary: Robert ‘Bob’ Townes

Robert ‘Bob’ Townes, 65, died on September 22. Born in Brooklyn and a resident of Groton, MA , Bob will be remembered by his family and an army of friends in the U.S., Ireland and Norway for his great wit, big personality and generous nature.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene Pedersen Townes; son Jonathan; a brother Richard and wife Cathy, a sister Betty Hendrickson, a brother- in- law Michael Pedersen and wife Barbara; nieces and nephews Steven Pedersen, Karen Hauck, Kristine Mustillo, Mary Ellen Czyzewski; and great nieces and nephews Chelsea and Amanda Pedersen, Emily Hauck, Emily and Jillian Mustillo and Allison and Eddie Czyzewski.
In lieu of flowers, donations can made to SUNY Upstate University Hospital, The Foundation, Dept. of NeuroScience, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13210; Cincinnatus Emergency Squad, Route 26, Cincinnatus, NY 13040 or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 214 Bray Hall, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, NY.

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Bob was the executive director and board chair of Intercomm Ireland’s support organization in the U.S.

Townes worked on behalf of Intercomm USA for the past 10 years, building a support network here for the Belfast based non-profit Intercomm Ireland which is involved in community reconciliation programs throughout Northern Ireland and conflict resolution programs in several countries.

“Bob Townes worked tirelessly to help win government and private support in the U.S. for Intercomm’s community reconciliation programs that are central to winning a permanent peace and bringing communities together in Northern Ireland,” said Liam Maskey, executive director of Intercomm Ireland, who worked closely with Townes. “The people of Northern Ireland have lost a good friend. And so have I.”

Townes, who was also co-chair of the Friends of Belfast in Boston.

 

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