Robert William Narey, 86, of Holyoke, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025. Born in Holyoke on June 14, 1939, he was the third son of Grace (Cousineau) and Michael J. Narey. He was married to Judith (O’Connor) Narey for nearly 40 years, until her passing in 2002. Bob carried her memory with him always, grateful for the life and family they built together. Bob was predeceased by older Brothers Joseph and Thomas (Red) Narey and younger sisters Dorothy Butler and Jean Assaro. In April, Bob faced the heartbreaking loss of his firstborn daughter, Laurie Narey. He is survived by his children Patricia O’Brien, Barbara (Paul) Lussier, and Robert (Erin McEvady) Narey. Bob’s greatest joy was his family, and he took pride in his ten grandchildren—Caitlin, Olivia (Sam Einzig) and Ryan Hoess, Stephanie and Madison O’Brien, Alexis (Josh Muzzy) and Delaney (Trystan Cauley) Lussier, and Connor, Jack, and Joe Narey—as well as his four great-grandchildren, Isla and TJ Cauley and Leo and Fae Muzzy. He also leaves his brothers Ray (Annette) and Mickey Narey, his sisters-in-law Teri Narey and Betsy (Bob) Price, his brother-in-law Mike Assaro, and many nieces and nephews.

At age 17, Bob left Holyoke High School and proudly served his country on the U.S.S. Forrestal naval carrier before receiving an honorable discharge in 1960. He went on to study business administration at Holyoke Community College. Bob first worked in insurance with Boston Mutual Life, where he was recognized in 1964 for achieving over a quarter million dollars in sales the previous year. He later pursued masonry, winning the Massachusetts State Apprentice Bricklayer Contest in 1965. He worked with Roger Nadeau Construction Co. before founding Narey Construction, overseeing projects throughout New England. In 1980, he joined Providence Hospital as Administrative Director of Engineering and Environmental Services, and after retiring from there, continued his work as Resident Engineer at UMass Amherst.

He also gave much of his time to the Holyoke community, serving on the YMCA Board of Directors, the Holyoke Boys Club, and as Commissioner of Parks & Recreation. Bob will be remembered as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Navy veteran, and friend. His steadiness, humor, and sense of responsibility touched the lives of those around him. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Barry Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday, September 20, at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. Burial will take place privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club.