Robert C. Whitaker

Robert C. Whitaker, 83, of East Providence passed away on April 11th, 2018. A life-long East Providence resident, he was the son of the late Herbert F. Whitaker Sr. and the late Mary K. (Mahoney) Whitaker. He was the former husband of Bernice C. (Mutter) Whitaker and the father of Robert C. Jr., Kristin M, and Laura J. Whitaker and the grandfather of Leah E. Whitaker. He was the brother of the late Herbert F. Jr, Richard E. Whitaker, and Donald I. Whitaker. He graduated from East Providence High School and Bryant University with a BS in Accounting and later an MBA in management. He was a 35 year career state employee and worked in several state departments. He retired as Director of Administration & Finance after 20 years of service with the State Department of Education. Bob was a student of Irish history and many Irish organizations including the Irish Ceilidhe Club of RI, where he served as treasurer for two years, President of the RI Unit of Irish Northern Aid, and former chairman of the Irish sub-committee of the RI Heritage Commission. He was a member of St. Patrick-St. Brendan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ireland’s 32 Society of Pawtucket. Bob was a long-term member of E. Providence K of C Council #1528 when he served two terms as Grand Knight. He served five years as President of the E.P.K. of Past Grand Knights Association and many years as treasurer. He also served as District Deputy for the State Council Knights of Columbus. He was charter member of St. John Neumann Council K #6939 in Hope Valley and a 4th degree member of the St. Pius X Assembly #1060. Bob was a member of the Massasoit Gun Club Inc. of Riverside where he enjoyed pistol shooting. After he retired, he became a volunteer federal and state tax preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in Pawtucket. Later, he was a Tax Aide for the AARP Tax Assistance Program in Pawtucket. His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 9:00 AM from the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, RI with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Loreto, 346 Waterman Avenue, East Providence. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday, 5-8 PM In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the E.P. Past Grand Knights Scholarship Fund. 3200 Pawtucket Ave., Riverside, RI 02915 will be greatly appreciated.