A. Robert Lally, at 70

A. Robert “Robb” Lally died on My 25, 2023 in San Diego. He was 70 years old.

Mr. Lally was born on Oct. 9, 1952 in Dorchester and lived for many years in Hull. He graduated from Boston College High School in 1970 and entered St John’s Seminary, where he remained throughout his diaconate year. As deacon, he served in a Catholic parish in Melrose and later at St Ann’s in Hull. After leaving the seminary, he continued to work in areas of social justice, first collaborating with the Franciscans at Arch Street in the St. Francis House, which welcomes daily up to 500 individuals experiencing homelessness in the city of Boston. He was the program director there for many years before leaving to do the same work for the Salvation Army at the South End Boys’ and Girls’ Club on Huntington Avenue. There, the children from the Cathedral housing project found many activities that kept them off the streets.

He was elected to the Hull Board of Health and served from 1978 to 1981, supporting the town through the Blizzard of ’78.

In 1988, Mr. Lally headed to San Diego to work with the founder of the Alpha Project, a nonprofit, human services organization that serves more than 4,000 men, women, and children daily. As a director of the agency, Mr. Lally was instrumental in the overall mission to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing work, recovery, and support services to people who are motivated to change their lives and achieve self- sufficiency. Mr. Lally worked with many of the programs for 35 years and spearheaded the affordable housing department.

He was a world traveler, making lasting friendships in every country he visited. He will be dearly missed by his whole family and his many friends in San Diego.

Mr. Lally was the son of Arthur R. Lally and M. Ruth Lally of Dorchester and Hull, the brother of Denise DiCenso (Robert) and Stephen G Lally (Mary), both of Hull. He was the dear uncle of Stephanie Eppenstein (Ryan), Brian Lally (Lauren), Christopher DiCenso (Jacqueline), David DiCenso (Kathy), and Julianne McHugh (Kyle), and a devoted granduncle to Katherine Parris (Jordan), Matthew DiCenso, Nicole DiCenso, Cassie DiCenso, John DiCenso, Niklas McHugh, Abigail DiCenso, Sarah DiCenso, Ryan McHugh, and Ellie Rose Eppenstein. 

Visiting hours are 4 to 8 p.m. in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham, on Thursday, June 15. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 16 at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, with burial following at Hull Village Cemetery.

Visit www.Keohane.com online condolences.