Robert P. Malieswski

Robert “The Mule” Malieswski reached the finish line on Tuesday July 14, 2020 after several years of declining health. Robert, known as Bob, was quite possibly the most stubborn person most of us have ever known.  Stubborn as a mule.   

Born in 1938 and raised in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Frances Osborn Malieswski, a dressmaker and homemaker and Charles Malieswski Sr, a Firefighter with the Inman Square Fire Department. He was a longtime resident of Belmont, MA and lived for a period of time in Hampton, NH after retirement.  

He graduated from Cambridge Rindge Technical School in 1955 and enrolled in the U.S Navy.  After serving in the Navy he went onto Wentworth Institute and got a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology in 1966 through the Evening Division.   From there he enrolled at Northeastern University and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science. Bob was a longtime employee and part of the Technical Staff at Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, MA. In 1988 he was inducted into the Quarter Century Club at Draper Laboratory.  After retiring from Draper Labs he got certified in Spinning and went on to teach Spinning Classes at gyms  in Bedford, MA and at the NH Seacoast.  

Bob was an avid runner.  He ran in the Boston Marathon 27 times and ran marathons and races throughout the country and running several Ultra Marathons (62 miles). His personal best time for Boston was in 1979 finishing at 2:56:40. One of the more memorable races he ran while we were growing up was the Mount Washington Road Race. A race to the top of Mount Washington on the auto road that was 7.6 miles uphill, 4,650 vertical feet and 22% max grade. Just one hill, one BIG continuous hill.

He was a longtime member of the River Rats.  The River Rats were a group from Draper and MIT that would meet daily at noontime to run around the Charles River.  The group ran numerous races and marathons all over the state and beyond and those were friendships he enjoyed and cherished throughout his entire life. After years of running marathons he retired from running and became a regular volunteer at the Boston Marathon often helping with the elite runners.  

He enjoyed sports, especially baseball, and for years would spend the month of March in Florida enjoying the Spring Training Games. His summers were spent along the NH seacoast. Bob was a friend of Bill W and helped many others on their road to recovery.  

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Mary Lou Malieswski.  He leaves behind his 5 children.Sheila Perry and her husband Brian of Lexington, Ken Malieswski and his wife Jane of Newton, Noreen Lombard and her husband Dan of Watertown, Michael Malieswski and his wife Rima of Framingham and Laura Malieswski of Vermont. Grandpa to Michaela and Alex Perry, Joseph and Rachel Malieswski, Delanie and Mason Lombard and Ramsey, Madelyn and Ryan Malieswski. He leaves behind his niece Jennifer Rossi Puglielli and her husband Michael of Bedford, MA along with their children and his nephew Mike Rossi of Salisbury, MA. He was the brother of Charles Malieswski of North Carolina and predeceased by his siblings Barbara Stankiewicz and Donald Malieswski. He is also survived by the many nieces and nephews of his own siblings.

The family wishes to thank the many organizations that helped their father over the years with his many health issues. The Belmont Fire Department for always being so patient, kind and professional, The Belmont Police Department, SpringWell of Waltham and their many volunteers and staff, the staff at the Winchester Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and the CareGroup Home Care (Watertown) Visiting Nurses/ PT/ OT Staff.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a private service and burial will be held for the immediate family.

 In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be sent to the Boston Bulldogs Running Club.  The Boston Bulldogs Running Club is a non profit organization that helps those battling and recovering from addiction and substance abuse and provides them with a positive social and wellness program to participate in and support their recovery.  Please include his name in your donation.  Donations can be made at  https://www.bostonbulldogsrunning.com/donate.html
 

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