Robert Edward Cormier US Army Lt. (Ret.) Col.

Cormier, Robert E. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret)Bob, age 86, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2012 in the presence of his children, after receiving the Last Rites of the Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette; their seven children; their eight grandchildren; and their great-grandson; almost all of whom live in Albuquerque. Bob was born in Waltham, Massachusetts May 23, 1926. After graduating from Waltham High School, Bob served during WWII in the European Theater as an infantryman with the U.S. Army. After he was discharged, he worked several jobs before entering the Boston University Army R.O.T.C program. In his senior year, he was appointed cadet colonel of the university's R.O.T.C Corps. He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in the U.S. Army. Shortly thereafter, he met Bernadette (Bernie) and they were married June 11, 1955 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the next 18 years, they traveled from post to post while growing their family. Bob served two tours in Vietnam. On May 31, 1974 Bob retired from the service and moved his family to Albuquerque, where he had resided ever since. Bob always found time to volunteer his services to needy causes. During his army career, most of his volunteer work revolved around boy/girl scouts and church activities. After moving to Albuquerque, he continued working with the scouts and expanded his efforts to include youth track clubs. For many years Bob and Bernie were active participants in the Catholic community's Marriage/Engaged Enrichment Program. Bob ushered at the 12 o'clock mass at Annunciation Parish for over 20 years and also sang in the choir. He was a volunteer clerk at Anna Kaseman Hospital and often spent time playing cards with nursing home residents. Bob's booming voice stood him well when he played Santa Claus during the Christmas season. When Bob was asked what he considered to be three of his life's major achievements, he answered: Being smart enough to ask Bernie to marry him (and being lucky enough for her to say yes); the fact that all seven of his children graduated from college with minimum help from him; and that God had provided him with the talent and ability that allowed him to retire from the army as a Lt. Colonel of Infantry. Rosary will be recited for Bob on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 7:00 pm at French-Wyoming Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 8:30 am at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont St. NE. Burial will follow with military honors at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. FRENCH7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE505-823-9400