Dr. Robert Harney, Jr.
Award Winning Sports Physician
Dr. Robert A. Harney Jr., of Winthrop, died peacefully on June 13 after a courageous battle with cancer.
A graduate of the University of Guadalajara and Boston University Schools of Medicine, Dr. Harney was a well respected orthopedic surgeon in the Boston area for over 25 years. He was a longtime partner of North Suburban Orthopedic Associates, member of the Hallmark Health medical staff, team physician for Winthrop High School, Melrose High School and the former Savio Prep High School.
Dr. Harney was past president of the American Academy of Sports Physicians, a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Massachusetts Orthopedic Association and an independent physician for the NFL players association.
Through his years as a private physician, patients found confidence and trust in his friendly and calm demeanor; colleagues found his commitments to patient care unwavering and his ability to teach, mentor and lead unsurpassed. As a result he was recognized as a 2010 Hallmark Health Hero.
“Dr. Bob” as he was so passionately known, was a tireless leader and innovator in Paralympic sports at the local, national and international levels.
His career has been dedicated to the education and welfare of able-bodied, physically challenged and intellectually challenged athletes. Dr. Bob Harney was a founder and past president of New England Disabled Sports. His dedication and compassion for the development of adaptive recreation was recognized in the naming of the Dr. Bob Harney Adaptive Sports Center at Loon Mountain. He was the 2008 recipient of the Jim Winthers award, a 2010 nominee for the George Steinbrenner award and was inducted into the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame in 2011. He was the national vice president of Disabled Sports USA and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. He was also a medical technical consultant for the Union Cycliste Internation-ale (UCI), the governing body for pro-cycling, para-cycling, and the Tour de France. He was internationally recognized in Paralympic Sports and he was instrumental in developing disability classifications for the Paralympic Games. He was named to the International Olympic/Paralympic medical technical teams in Nagano, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino, Beijing, and Vancouver.
Dr. Harney was inducted into the Winthrop High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Dr. Harney’s commitment to family and community was unsurpassed. His community volunteering included: Physical Fitness Consultant for the Miss Massachusetts/Miss America Organization, New England Regional Spinal Cord Center, Professional Ski Instructors of America and Member of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Advisory Committee for Head Injury and Concussions. He was also a member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club.
Dr. Harney is survived by his wife Andrea A. (Arcadipane) Harney, daughters Jessica D. (Harney) Griffin and her husband, Michael of Charlestown and Kimberly M. Harney of Winthrop and his adored grandson, Andrew Robert Griffin. He was the dear brother of Dale Keating and her husband, John of Linwood, NJ, Paul Harney and his wife, Kathleen of Wakefield, and Peter Harney and his wife, Mary of Natick and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass to celebrate Dr. Harney’s life will be held on Friday, June 22 at 4 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St. Winthrop. Relatives and friends are invited. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Dr. Bob Harney Sports Foundation P.O Box 520324 Winthrop, Ma 02152.
Funeral arrangements are from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home 210 Winthrop St. Winthrop. For more information, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com
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Charles Upton
Former Owner of Charles Robert Haircutters in Somerville and Charlestown
Charles R. “Charlie” Upton of Charlestown died on June 12. He was 71 years old.
He was the former 46-year owner of Charles Robert Haircutter in Somerville and 15 year owner of Charles Robert Haircutter II in Thompson Square, Charlestown, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and a member of Bunker Hill Council #62 K. of C.
The beloved son of the late Joseph A. and Emily (Herring) Upton, he was the devoted and loving brother of Melvin Upton and his wife, Sissy of Charlestown, Emily Lorino and her husband, Anthony of Stoneham, Maureen Doherty of Hampton, N.H., Herbert Upton and his wife, Carol of Malden, Blanche Pappas-Demling of Bridgeton, ME, John Upton and his wife, Virginia of Derry, N.H., Ruth Capraro and her husband, Richard of Medford and the late Joseph J. Upton and Margaret Fitzpatrick and loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Frank H. Carr Funeral Home, Charlestown. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. For obituary and online condolences please visit www.carrfuneral.com.