Robert A. Ball, 84, of Concord, MA, formerly of Arlington, MA, Bedford, MA and Marlborough, NH passed away on Sunday, May 1st, 2011. Born on June 10, 1926 in Springfield, MA, he was the son of the late Blanche and Alfred Ball. He had been the beloved husband of Dorothy for 57 years, and the proud father of 3 children, Cynthia R. Oulighan, and her husband, Steve, of Concord, MA, Susan A. Bland and her husband, John, of Derry, NH and Jonathan E. Ball and his partner, Robert Cook, of Pembroke, NH. He was the loving grandfather of: Susan Dunham, Robyn Hamel, Kristen Pagano, Katy Wuoti, Megan Oulighan, Trevor and Wesley Bland as well as the adored great grandfather of 7 great grandchildren, Alex, Max, Mia, Ethan, Josiah, Levi and Abigail with another expected. Bob graduated from Classical High School, Springfield, MA in 1944 and received his Bachelors Degree in Music in 1949 and then his Masters Degree in Music from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1956. He began his musical career as accompanist for concert violinist, Robert Brink, and was a music teacher at the Fernald School for the Blind in Waltham, MA where he received a personal commendation from Rose Kennedy. From 1954 until 1992 he was a Music Specialist in the Waltham Public School System. During this time he was also the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church in Arlington (1954 1987) where he was the organist and the director of the Chancel Choir, the teen choral group Gods Horizons, and womens choral group The Messengers, and select choral ensembles The Lords Blessings and Adams Ribs. While residing in Arlington, Bob also was accompanist for the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra, and for several years he served as Musical Director for the Christmas musical production of Dickens Christmas Carol, presented yearly by New Life Fine Arts group. One of his favorite jobs was his numerous piano and organ students, many of who became professional musicians. Moving to Bedford, MA in 1972, he supported Cindy, Susan and Jonathon as they became involved in horse activities and active in Pony Club and 4H and enjoyed traveling with them to their many clinics and shows. Bob and Dorothy moved to Marlborough, NH in 1987 where they resided for 19 years. During that time Bob served as Minister of Music for the First Church in Jaffrey, NH (19 years), Music accompanist for the New Hampshire Dance Institute (12 years) and Music Director at the Well School in Peterborough, NH. For several years, Bob and Dorothy were Board members of the Fast Friends Greyhound Rehoming Group in Keene, NH and adopted 7 greyhounds, 3 of whom they still have, their beloved Koby, Kallie and Kayla. His God, his family, his music and his greyhounds were his life. In 2006, Bob and Dorothy moved to Concord, MA. Memorials: Contributions in his memory may be made to the Music Program of the First Baptist Church or to Fast Friends Greyhounds, 14 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03431. Service: A service honoring and celebrating his life will be held on his 85thbirthday, June 10 at 6 PM at the First Baptist Church, 819 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA.