CHELMSFORD- Robert John Grippo, 85 a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Fairhaven Healthcare Center in Lowell after a long and courageous battle with dementia. He was the beloved husband of Nancy A. (Santillo) Grippo to whom he was married to for 46 years. He was born in Emporium, PA on November 26, 1928 a son of the late Pasquale and Elena (Roberto) Grippo. He attended schools in Pennsylvania and graduated from Emporium High School before being enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Robert went on to Penn State and then received his Masters Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was employed by GTE Labs in Waltham for 37 years before retiring as a chief financial officer. Robert was an active parishioner of St. Mary Parish, where he served for many years as a head usher. He was an active parent when his son, Chris was in the Boy Scouts and he loved camping, hiking and skiing. He and his wife, Nancy enjoyed travelling together and in more recent years, Robert was involved in the Chelmsford Senior Center where he served for 17 years as the treasurer. In addition to his wife, Robert leaves a son, Chris Grippo and his wife Debora of Hampton, NH and a daughter, Joy Anne Flaherty and her husband Dennis of Groton, MA; two grandchildren, Charlotte and Caius Grippo of Hampton, NH; a brother in law, Benjamin Santillo and his wife Susan of Hebron, CT and a nephew, Michael Santillo of Connecticut and many other nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by nine brothers and sisters. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 3 to 7 pm at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St. CHELMSFORD. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday at 9 o’clock at St. Mary Church, 25 North Rd. Chelmsford. Interment will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to Friends of the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd. Chelmsford, MA 01863.