Robert Carroll English passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024 surrounded by his beloved wife of 59 years, Crystal (Brokvist) English and his three cherished children in his adored City of Boston, MA. He was born in Boston, devoted his career to the Boston Public Schools as school psychologist, and fittingly passed away in Boston in the caring hands of MGH at a self-described "grand old age of 84".

Robert was raised in West Roxbury by his late parents Ned and Gertrude English along with his late brothers, Richard and Edward. Robert and Edward were identical twins, and together they made a name for themselves in West Roxbury at The Randal G Morris Elementary School and later at English High School in Boston ('58). The antics of "the English Twins" preceded them enough that Crystal, also from West Roxbury, had known of "the pair" when the couple first met at Boston State College in 1960. There, Robert completed both his BS ('62) and MS ('65) in Education . He also attended The Marine Corp Officer Training Program in Quantico VA ('61).

After a five year courtship, Crystal and Robert married in 1965 and resided in their hometown of West Roxbury until 1971 when they moved to Marshfield, MA. Robert was "over the moon" to acquire a beautiful antique home and more importantly a six-bay barn for his growing antique car collection. There they raised their three children and enjoyed their community of friends for over 50 years.

Robert greatly enjoyed his professional career working with children, first as a teacher in Dedham, and then as a school psychologist for thirty-six years in the Boston school system. He dutifully commuted from Marshfield into Boston for many years until his retirement in 2003. With much gratitude, he enjoyed a long retirement of over 20 years with Crystal as they traveled, gardened and enjoyed each other's easy company.

Robert had a passion for humor, conversation and sharing with others. He enjoyed many clubs and groups; he loved the friends he gained along the way. These include the Swedish "Bowling" Group, The Historic Winslow House, The Marshfield Historical Society, The Larz Anderson Museum, The Douglas Thom Clinic in Boston, North Community Church in Marshfield, United Church of Christ in Norwell, The Memory Lane Singers, and The Marshfield Old Goats.

Robert also had a penchant for collecting old cars, license plates and porcelain signage. As a young adult, he co-founded the Early Ford V-8 Club of New England. Over his lifetime, he owned as many as twelve antique cars which he lovingly cared for and paraded to share with others. His life-long obsession with low number license plates is hard to put into words. He scored some good ones. We'll leave it at that. And starting on his honeymoon on Martha's Vineyard in 1965, he began to amass a museum worthy collection of "automobelia" in many forms – signage (aka "street jewelry"), car badges, gas tanks, and ephemera (look it up!). Glenn Pare, the former executive director of Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich MA was once quoted as describing Robert as "one of those wonderfully unique New England characters. He's preserved a part of American culture that has disappeared – America on the road. You have to meet Bob to understand the whole story." Those who met him understood his appreciation for the past.

Above all else, Robert loved his family. He leaves them with countless memories to make them smile. He was adored and will be forever missed by his wife, Crystal, his son Andrew English and wife Mint of Kingston, his daughter Allison Daraskevich and husband Glen of Scituate, and his daughter Amelia English and husband Stephen Buckler of Marshfield. He was known as "Grandfather" to his treasured grandchildren; Hope and Perry Pollard of Marshfield, Sasha, Ella and Gus Daraskevich of Scituate, and Tyler and Alex English of Marshfield. As well as his most recent added treasures, Dada and Kenta of Kingston, Mint's boys. His grandchildren are all in agreement that Grandfather had a way of making each one of them feel special. A true gift they will always carry with them.

Visiting hours will be held at McNamara - Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central Street, Norwell on Monday, August 26, from 4:00 to 7:00pm. A celebration of  his life  be held at The United Church of Christ, 460 Main St, Norwell, on Tuesday August 27, at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Friendship Home – Norwell, 458 Main St, Norwell, MA 02061 or Our House Foundation – New Jersey, 76 Floral Avenue, Murray Hill, NJ 07974.