Robert Vincent Brophy Obituary
Robert V. Brophy, 94, passed away peacefully with his wife Faye at his side.
He was born in Brockton, MA to the late James & Margaret (Sullivan) Brophy; one of 9 children. Before college, he was an Infantry Weapons Instructor for the Army, stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. Hog Island and the Essex Marshes were his second home.
He built a duck camp on the marsh and spent many hours there observing wildlife. It was a thrill for him to be an extra in "THE CRUCIBLE" filmed on Choate Island where Daniel Day Lewis became one of his carving students during their down time on set. He passed on his love of the outdoors, taking his children hiking, sailing and teaching them about wildlife, especially the local birds. One especially memorable hike was when he took Christine (then 15) and her boyfriend David up Mt. Washington, fostering a lifelong love of hiking for them both. He did have a keen eye for spotting wildlife and never missed opening day of deer season. He frequently dug fresh steamers for our cookouts. Bob and Faye spent many happy years dancing together, especially at the Vittori Rocci Post in Beverly and the Peabody Senior Center with his brother Tom and wife Marilyn.
As a graduate from Wentworth College, he worked in machine design at the United Shoe, Gloucester Engineering, and Compugraphics. He was a tenor drummer in theClan Wallace Marching Band. Quite a spectacle in full Scottish kilt attire! He had a great passion for the outdoors. He was on the Essex Conservation Commission, he was very active in Ducks Unlimited, the Youth Waterfowl Training Commission at Parker River, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, the Cape Ann Sportsman's Club, as well as the Myopia Hunt Club Marsh Rats. For years, he had a booth at the Topsfield Fair, enjoying doing carving demonstrations there, in a booth alongside Harold Burnham. He carved the name onto the schooners the THOMAS E LANNON and the ARDELLE.
If you heard someone say, "the Decoy Man", you would know who they were speaking of; Robert "Bob" Brophy started carving birds as a teenager, making decoys to hunt with. It became a lifetime hobby that led him to international recognition and many blue- ribbon awards. He was an avid conservationist and outdoorsman. He was invited to compete in all the big shows, such as the Eastern Maryland Waterfowl Festival and Davenport, Iowa. He won first place and other top ribbons. He was featured on Chronicle and Good Morning America and did carving demonstrations in the Boston Sportsman's Show in the Herald American booth with sportswriter Artie Sullivan.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ardrith "Faye" (Parady) Brophy; his former wife, Virginia (Carr) Dench and a blended family of children; son, Mark, husband of Donna Hilensky of Newburyport, MA; daughter, Christine, wife of David Curley; and daughter, Neila and husband Mark LeBeau, all of Gloucester, MA; his stepchildren, Melanie (Selig) wife of Donny Burnham, of Essex; Jeannine Selig, wife of Jeff Goodhue of Beverly; and daughter-in-law, Felicia (Roberts) Selig of Essex, and her late husband, Nelson Selig Sr; grandchildren, Brien Brophy, Lynne (Trupiano) Sens, Keira (Cremeans) Favazza, Jesse Cremeans, Matthew LeBeau, and Maribeth (LeBeau) Inconiglios, Nelson Selig Jr., Kristen (Selig) Ryan, Drew Burnham, Chandler Burnham, Ryn Flaherty, Elizabeth Flaherty and Daniel Flaherty, as well as great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He had a special relationship with his nephew, Paul Brophy, and long-time friends, Doc Letendre, and Brian Lariviere. His only remaining siblings are Thomas Brophy of Salem, NH and a sister Frances (Brophy) Buzinski and husband Ray of Huntington, Beach, CA.
He was predeceased by his stepson, Nelson Selig Sr. The family will hold a private celebration of life. His ashes will be put into one of his duck decoys for safe keeping and be spread at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929 or Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120.
