Robert Niemi, 78

Jan 3, 2020

Robert Niemi, 78, of Rochester, died peacefully Wednesday, January 1, 2020 surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after a long illness.  He was the beloved husband of Judith E. (Cusick) Niemi.

Born in Wareham, he was the son of the late Everett E. and Theresa L. (Mestieri) Niemi.  Mr. Niemi received his Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth, and owned and operated Niemi Electric for over 40 years.  He was also a third-generation cranberry grower.

Mr. Niemi was a member of the Redmen Cromesett Tribe # 156 and the Wareham / New Bedford Lodge of Elks # 73.  He was an avid hunter, enjoyed golf, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Judith of Rochester; his children, Sally Niemi-Farhoody and her wife Nassrine of Auburn, Stephen Niemi and his fiancé Trisha Osborne of Wareham, Jeffrey Niemi and his wife Lisa of Rochester, and Jennifer Proffit and her husband Steven of Rochester; his sisters, Elizabeth Galavotti of Cheyenne, WY, and Catherine Doris of Westport.  Also surviving are his grandchildren, Michael and Mary Niemi, Zachary and Jake Proffit, Cameron and Courtney Osborne, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

His funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., (Rt. 28), Wareham on Fri., Jan. 10, at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10 a.m.  Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours will be Thurs., Jan. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of MA/NH, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.  For directions and on-line guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.