Robert Alexis

On July 29, Robert M. (Bob)
Alexis escaped the bonds of
earth to rejoin his bride, Janet.
Bob recently celebrated his
93rd birthday. Although he had
suffered a stroke in late 2016, he
lived a happy and independent
life in Chicopee. Prior to his
move to Chicopee, Bob and
his late wife lived in New Port
Richie Florida and Southwick,
MA. They raised their family
in Westfield and lived there the
majority of their adult lives.
Bob was born in Springfield
to immigrant parents. Angelos
John Alexis had come to the US
from Greece, and worked in the
restaurant business. While in
Springfield, Angelos met Syma
Raskhodoff and they
married and started
a family. Bob and a
twin brother George
were born on July 2,
1930 in Springfield. The family
moved to Bristol, NH, where
Angelos became part owner of
the Bristol Diner.
When Bob was in his
early teens, the family moved
back to Springfield. Bob and
George became regulars at the
Springfield Airport. This period
gave Bob his lifelong passion for
airplanes.
He took a job as a mechanic
at a Ford garage in Springfield,
and while working there, met
a young lady named Janet
Roberts at a friend’s party.
From then on, there was nobody
else. He got called up by Uncle
Sam to serve, and managed to
squeeze in getting married. He
served 2 years and was proud of
his service in Europe during the
Korean War. After his return
to Springfield, Bob worked for
Springfield Auto Electric, and
then for Allen Lawnmower as
their senior mechanic for many
years. While working full time,
Bob went to classes at night and
earned a degree in teaching
from Westfield State.
With his degree, Bob
moved to teaching; he taught
a shop class for a short time
at East Longmeadow High
and then found his calling at
Westfield Vocational High
School teaching the Auto shop
class. During these years, he
converted a commercial Chevy
van into a camper van and also
completely restored a 1969
Triumph TR6. The Chevy van
made several memorable crosscountry trips. Eventually, they
settled in a travel park in New
Port Richie, FL, and summered
in Southwick, MA. While in
Florida, Bob was active building
and flying Radio Controlled
aircraft.
After Janet died in January,
2014, Bob relocated to
Chicopee, closer to family,
where he has lived since.
Bob is survived by his three
daughters, Cheryl and her
husband Kirby Thomas of
Somis, CA, Patricia and her
husband Wayne Thresher of
Wilbraham, and Ellyn and
her husband Joseph Curto
of Chicopee. He also has 11
grandchildren and 11 great
grandchildren.
A Service for both Robert
Alexis and Janet M (Roberts)
Alexis will be held at the
Agawam Veterans’ Cemetery
on September 27 at 1:00 PM.
Donations may be made to the
New England Air Museum,
at https://neam.org/pages/
donation-page