Robert (Bob) William Meanix Sr., age 79, of Pisgah Forest, N.C., died of congestive heart failure Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010 at his home. Bob died in the arms of his beloved wife, Nancy, and family. He is a native of Boston, Mass., the younger child of the late William Henry Meanix and Genevieve A. Burns Meanix.

He was preceded in death in 1958 by a stillborn infant; in 1960 by five-week-old twin son, Paul Francis Meanix; in 1992 by both granddaughter Kelly Noreen Garza, 13 months, and grandson Tyler James Meanix, three years old.

Surviving are Nancy Meanix, his wife of 55 years; six sons: Robert William Meanix Jr. and wife Kelly of Downingtown, Pa.; Richard Emery Meanix and wife Colleen of Parkesburg, Pa.; James Howard Meanix and wife Denise of Exton, Pa.; Kevin George Meanix and wife Ann of Parkesburg, Pa.; David Edward Meanix of New York City; and John Francis Meanix and wife Angela of Coatesville, Pa,; and three daughters: Janet Meanix-Garza and husband A.J. of Houston, Texas; Ellen Meanix Helfrick and husband Richard of York, Pa.; and Katherine Veronica Zubaly and husband Joseph of Rathdrum, Idaho; 18 living grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces; brother William Henry Meanix Jr., and wife June of Tryon; sister-in-law Mary (Polly) Greenish Curran and husband James of Hancock, N. H.

Bob met Nancy at the age of 14 at a ballroom dancing school in Boston. In 1948 he graduated from English High School in Boston. Bob majored in psychology at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., graduating in 1952. He spent two years on active duty with the U.S. Navy, based in Norfolk, Va. They married in February, 1955 in Boston.

Bob then had several sales jobs before joining the Ballymore Company, manufacturer of hydraulic access lifts and industrial ladders in West Chester, a western suburb of Philadelphia, Penn. He spent 33 years in industrial sales there, advancing to vice-president of sales with responsibility for sales, marketing and product development.

Upon retirement in August 1995, Bob and Nancy moved to the magnificent mountains near Asheville, N.C. They joined Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brevard, N.C., where Bob served as a lector and on both the pastoral council and the pastoral care ministry group. Bob was an awesome husband, encouraging father and grandfather, and mentor to many in Alcoholics Anonymous. Bob was a golf nut who had twice achieved the golfers dream of a hole-in-one, a bridge enthusiast who loved to redouble, and an avid reader of mysteries.

Bob and his Irish sense of humor, booming voice and welcoming smiles will be missed by all.

Funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Center of Transylvania Regional Hospital, Brevard, N.C. 28712.