Robert W. Dudley, 78, of East Wareham, died May 3 in the Vibra Hospital, New Bedford after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Pam (Johnson) Dudley and the son of the late Ida (Leandrews) Cataldo.

He was born in Boston and lived in Brockton before moving to East Wareham.

Mr. Dudley worked as an Iron Worker for the Local 7 Iron Workers Union in Boston where he “boomed across country.” He was working on a building in Washington while Mt. St. Helen’s erupted. He also worked on projects in Canada and Mexico.

He worked as a night custodian at Howard Johnson’s and was an elevator operator at the Ritz Carlton in Boston where he met President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Gleason. He also worked at various construction companies out of Brockton including Favor, Inc, and Middleton Realty. After retiring, he was a part-time driver for Dial A Ride for the Wareham Council on Aging.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, camping, building furniture and toys for his grandchildren, restoring cars, making puzzles and playing rummy. He was a fun loving practical joker with a quick wit and was always happy. He loved to tease people – if he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t tease you. He was devoted, loving, caring and compassionate. He would give you the shirt off his back and was always willing to help.

Survivors include his wife, Pam Dudley of East Wareham; two daughters, Krista Crawford of Wareham and Renee Chor and her husband, John of Middleboro; two sons, Jeffrey Edwards and his wife Sherry of Rockland and Patrick Edwards and his wife Stacey of Middleboro; his grandchildren, Ashley Lindelof-Keller, Kayla-Ann Edwards, Jeffrey Edwards, John Chor, IV, Gabrielle Chor, Alex Chor, Rachel Edwards and Nora Edwards.

Visiting hours are from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham. A celebration of his life will be held afterwards.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Wareham Council on Aging, (for the seniors he loved), 48 Marion Road, Wareham, MA 02571. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.