Henry Robert Heywood

Henry R (Bob) Heywood, CEO and Owner of the Thompson & Lichtner Co. (T&L), passed away suddenly on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Bob joined the firm in 1974 and was CEO/Owner since 2003. A nationally-recognized expert in Weatherproofing Design and Construction, Building Envelopes, and an Expert Witness in both the State and Federal Courts, Bob was also an invited speaker at Build Boston and the PSI National Convention and was on the Boston Society of Architects’ (BSA) Building Envelope Committee. Through his long career with T&L, he worked on many notable buildings, such as the White House (DC), Rowes Wharf, and 75 State St (Boston). In 2005 in Santa Barbara, CA he accepted the “Make America Strong” Award at the Heartbeat of America television show hosted by actor William Shatner.

Bob was born in Fall River, MA to Milton John and Georgette (Blais) Heywood. He spent his childhood in Portsmouth, RI. He is survived by his wife Anne, two children, Michael and Sandy Heywood, one stepson, Carlo DiGiovanni and his wife Kelly, three grandchildren, Ciro, Enzo, and Niki DiGiovanni, three great granddaughters (Kylynn, Ilaria, and Mila DiGiovanni) and his siblings Catherine Martin of Old Orchard Beach, ME, Barbara Prillaman of Dracut, MA, and John Heywood of Scottsdale, AL. He is predeceased by his sister Patria Grosser and brother Kenneth Heywood. He was much loved by his family.

Bob attended high school at DeLaSalle Academy in Newport, RI where he played handball, football, and ran track. He attended the University of RI on a track scholarship and the University of NH where he was an award winning track sprinter. After college he was first employed by the State of NH in constructing the I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge between NH and ME. He lived near Durham, NH working in the construction field before moving to the Boston area to work for T&L.

Bob was a USAF (Staff Sgt.) nuclear weapons specialist Veteran (’64 – ’68, Vietnam War) and a member of American Legion 181 in Waldoboro, ME. An accomplished card player and photographer, Bob loved to dance, play tennis, and watch sunsets sitting on the wharf at his summer home on the Damariscotta Lake in Nobleboro, ME. He also loved Christmas, had an extensive Santa collection and was “Santa” to many. He was very supportive of Anne’s art career and BSU Alumni Chamber Choir singing, and much beloved by all.

Visitation will be held in the Southeast Funeral Home, 93 Center Street, North Easton, MA 02356 on Monday, February 10, 2020 from 10:00-11:00 AM, followed by a service in the funeral home at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne at 12:45 PM. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in Henry's name to the Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For directions or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.southeastfuneralhome.com. 

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