Puleston, Robert Bruce, 87, of Barrington R.I. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 19, 2018. Bob was the son of the late Kenneth and Phyllis (Wilkinson) Puleston and grew up in Needham, MA. He graduated from Needham High School and eventually settled in Barrington with his family in 1964.
As a young man, he worked as a bricklayer on many construction projects such as Bay View Academy. Later he served as a corporal in the Army, stationed in New York. Bob was a co-founder and President of Bruce Diamond Corporation and Transcriber Corporation which manufactured diamond tools and phonograph needles in Attleboro, MA until retiring at the age of 78.
An avid sportsman, adventurer, and traveler, Bob learned to fly at an early age and enjoyed car shows and rally racing. Neighbors and friends would often see him out for an early Sunday drive around town. He enjoyed skiing in the White Mountains and sailing on the Kickamuit River in his favorite boat “Tillerbuster”. Bob competed in the 1968 Olympic Finn Class sailing trials in San Diego CA. He was honored with the Barrington Yacht Club Isaac B. Merriman Award in 1970 for his many contributions to the development and sponsorship of new boat classes and for improved instruction and competition among junior sailors.
Bob and his wife Judy survived a plane crash in 1970 but they continued to stay active and involved in the community. He served as President of the Narragansett Bay Yachting Association from 1969-1970 as well as a Race Officer and Judge for many NBYA and BYC regattas. He also provided judging services for several Americas Cup races held in Newport R.I.
Bob leaves behind his beloved ex-wife Judy, four children, LP (Laurie) Lawrence, Stephen and his wife Diane, Kate, and Sarah Prunk; four grandchildren, Emily Angell and her husband Richard, Kyle, Ashley and Stephen Prunk; and two great-grandchildren Richard and Grant Angell.
A service will be held on Friday, April 13th at 10:30 a.m. at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI. The service will be followed by a reception from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Barrington Yacht Club, 25 Barton Avenue, Barrington, RI.
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