Obituary of Robert Clayton Squire

Robert Clayton Squire passed away peacefully at Compassionate Care Hospice at Saint Clare’s Hospital at Dover on Friday February 12, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Marie Baggot Squire. Bob was a graduate of Mountain Lakes High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy. On April 12, 1945, he survived a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa while onboard the USS Purdy. He was awarded the Purple Heart which was personally presented by Admiral Chester Nimitz at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii. After several years convalescing in military hospitals, he continued his education at the University of Miami, Florida, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1951. On September 20, 1952, he married his lifelong partner, Marie. He and Marie raised seven children; Robert Squire Jr. (Pamela), William Squire (Lisa), Edward Squire, Mary Richardson (Kevin), Barbara Romano (Peter), Regina Squire, and Janine Colin (Gary). He found his true calling as a devoted grandfather to his thirteen grandchildren; Robert III, and Kevin Squire, Kelsey, Kaitlin and Valerie Squire, Brianna and Edward Jr. Squire, Amanda Richardson and Ciara Richardson Pias (Michael), Peter Jr. and Regina Romano, and Kyle Colin. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Gabriella, in 2000. He is survived by his sister, Dot Grau (Helmut) and brother Howard Squire (Betty) and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his distinguished military service, Bob was very successful in business. He began his career at Freeport Sulphur in New York City where he also pursued courses in patent law at Columbia University. In 1962, he accepted a job at American Cyanamid in Princeton, NJ. Where he worked as a Patent Liaison Attorney until his retirement in 1991. While at American Cyanamid, he was credited with writing the Records of Invention and playing an instrumental role in obtaining the issuance of patents for every major product marketed by the Agricultural Division during his 29 year career. Bob was also very active in the Indian Lake community as a hockey player, lifeguard, swim race starter, and judge for the Hub Lakes Diving League. To this day, one of the family’s fondest memories is of Bob and Marie being elected King and Queen of Indian Lake in 1950. As an Eagle Scout, he had a life-long commitment to the Boy Scouts, served as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and Scout Master for many years. Those who knew Bob best know that he was happiest with his “five” toes in the sand, sun on his back, surrounded by his family at LBI. Bob was a kindhearted man with a passionate sense of fairness, integrity, work ethic and an amazing sense of humor. Bob’s funeral will be conducted from Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ , www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Bob on web site), on Wednesday February 17th at 8:45am for a 10am Mass of Christian Burial service at St. Mary’s Church, Denville,NJ. Relatives and friends will be received on Tuesday February 16th at the funeral home from 2-4 and 7-9pm