Robert Frances Wollaston, age 91, of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. He was born September 23, 1925 in Newark, DE, to the late George Wesley and Frances Crew Wollaston.

Robert grew up and lived his entire life in Newark where he graduated from Newark High School in 1943. He married Annabelle Lee Prettyman, from Harbeson, DE in 1946.

Bob was always a hard worker and a saver. He held several jobs including, Home Drugs, and his uncle’s cement block factory, before starting his career at General Motors. During these years, he built an apartment house, where his family first lived, his home in Newark, and a cottage in Lewes beach. He learned many skills that he applied throughout his life.

Robert was a lifelong member of Newark United Methodist Church, served on the City of Newark Planning Committee for community day, and was a lifetime member of the Newark Historical Society. He enjoyed playing bridge and tending his garden. When he retired from General Motors after 32 years, he and Annabelle expanded their buying, refinishing and selling of antiques. They also traveled in both United States and Europe. He received the most pleasure from his family and friends. He was a well known figure riding his bike around Newark to check on things. “GrandBobby” as he was known to his three grandchildren, was an active participant in their lives, attending their school functions, spending one on one time with them, and sharing his knowledge and stories.

He is survived by his daughters, Linda Wollaston Lapointe, and her husband, Richard, of Newark, DE, and Victoria Wollaston, of Newport, DE, and her significant other, Richard Hampton, of Newark, DE; grandchildren, Joshua Lapointe, of Northampton, PA, Jessica Lapointe Piontek, and her husband Cliff, of Wynnewood, PA, and Jenna Lapointe, of Morgantown, WV; brother, James Wollaston, of Lancaster, PA; and sister, Joyce Diehl, of Newark, DE.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Annabelle; son, Wayne Wollaston; and brothers, Richard, Charles, and Frederick.

Services will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Newark United Methodist Church, 69 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. Friends and family may visit at 1PM in the Memorial Lounge. Visitors can park at 62 East Delaware, and enter the church from the rear parking lot. Burial will follow at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Cemetery in Newark, DE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution checks can be made to “Newark United Methodist Church” “White Clay Creek Presbyterian Cemetery Association “or “Newark Historical Society” and sent c/o R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. To send an online condolence, please visit www.rtfoard.com