Robert E. Clegg, Jr, known to his friends and family as Bob, died surrounded by his family on Thursday, August 31, 2023 after a sudden battle with cancer. He was born on April 27, 1954 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Robert E. Clegg, Sr. and Barbara (Tebbetts) Clegg. Bob leaves behind his loving wife of over 49 years, Priscilla (Nash) Clegg. He leaves behind his daughter, Jessica Clegg and her husband, Justin Goulding, and their chosen daughter, Kylee Smart, whom Bob thought of as a granddaughter. He also leaves behind his son, Jeffrey Clegg and his wife Jessie (Flahive) Clegg and their daughters, Elsbeth Clegg and Lorelai DeJackome. In addition, he leaves behind one sister, four brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Most people think of Bob as the politician, having served in both the NH State House and Senate from 1995-2008. He was a founding partner of Legislative Solutions, a lobbying firm out of Concord, NH in 2008. Others may know him as the lifelong “construction guy” who owned his own construction business which he started when he built the house his children grew up in. He kept a finger in the construction trade with his last project being his daughter’s house.
Bob was well known for keeping and following through on his promises. He was a true man of his word. He did everything in life with honor and integrity.
Bob was also a Justice of the Peace and performed many wedding ceremonies, some in his infamous garden, for those who couldn’t afford the high priced wedding venues. He reveled in bringing two people together on their special day.
Bob had a big heart and treated so many as family. To his children, he was known as the guy to go to when a friend had a problem. He treated every international or stray student his daughter and son brought home as one of his own. He would sneak food and books into his daughter’s classroom so, “the kids have something to eat and good things to read,” without ever once looking for recognition. Having worked in construction for most of his life, he supported young people entering the trades. Bob believed education came both in the classroom and out in the world and that we needed more people to go into the trades.
Bob helped anyone who needed it. He truly believed in giving people a hand up and a way forward. He worked with numerous groups over the years to support those who had hit hard times, organizations that support veterans, the local food pantry, helping families at Christmas, and helping foster children gain independence with learning to drive. He was especially fond of Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, and Presentation of Mary Academy. He quietly helped so many and never truly comprehended the positive impact he had on so many people, his community, and the state of NH.
There were so many serious things he was involved in, however Bob also had a wicked sense of humor, loved to prank his friends and family, and was a big storyteller. He’d tell you a story with a deadpan face. Then his trademark smirk would be followed by his belly laugh when he’d “got you”. He had this way of making you laugh. It’s nearly impossible to describe how infectious his humor was. Some of his shenanigans made for the best stories (not all appropriate for print.)
Bob had the heart of a photographer and was often found with a camera in his hands. He loved traveling to Ireland and Scotland exploring his roots, photographing the landscapes, as well as enjoying the NH Scottish Highland Games, and taking hundreds of photos of his family. He enjoyed summer vacations with the whole family. Bob made the most of every moment with his grandchildren, especially the youngest, Elsbeth whom he felt it was his grandfatherly duty to teach to stick out her tongue, stomp her foot and point at people, talk with her hands, and call him her “Bob Bob”.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 1-5pm at the Sheraton of Nashua at 11 Tara Boulevard in Nashua, NH. Please join the family in celebrating the extraordinary life of Bob.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire via www.familypromisesnh.org or PO Box 450, Nashua, NH 03061 or donate to NHSCOT at https://nhscot.org/support-us/donate/ or to NHSCOT, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Suite 4, Concord, NH 03301. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com