Bob Thibeault ’71 has traveled the world as an electronics expert with the giant gaming technology and services company GTech, was a lead guitarist in band he formed while in high school and again during a break from the corporate world in the mid-1980s and recently, with his wife Mary, became the owner of the Shaker Mill Inn in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

“My life has been an interesting and wonderful adventure,” said Bob in an afternoon phone interview from the Inn that was briefly interrupted a few times as potential guests kept popping in.  “Our new occupation is very different than anything else I have ever done.”

“We had thought about the idea of an inn or a bed and breakfast in part because Mary’s sister and brother-in-law own an inn on Block Island,” Bob continued.  “Then, when a wave of corporate lay offs hit in 2006, at the same time our two daughters left home, we decided to give it a try.  We were very lucky to be able to sell our house in Barrington and use the proceeds to purchase the inn – it was a perfect storm but one with a happy ending or beginning.”

Bob talked about his years at La Salle as very good times and remembered many of the Brothers, staff and faculty.  “I went to St. Pius school and there was never any thought of going anywhere else,” said Bob.  ”My favorite teachers included my French teacher, Mr. Heroux, Father Creedon who taught religion, and John Cerra who taught biology.”

The neophyte innkeeper remembered getting in a fight in the cafeteria and getting Saturday detention and “having to wash blackboards for more than a month.”

While Bob engaged in wrestling and cross country, his real interest, as alluded to above, was music.  “My gang played rock and roll at the La Salle social and we sang all the songs of the Beatles, Stones, Creedence and more.  Those were great times,” he said.

He spent two years at Providence College then took some time off before earning an associates degree in electronics at CCRI which led him to GTech.  “My years with GTech allowed me to see the world – I traveled to Ireland, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, Venezuela, and all over the world,” said Bob. 

Turning back to the present, Bob talked about the world of innkeeping which he and Mary have been engaged in since January of 2008.  “We are just as enthusiastic today as we were when we started.  We both enjoy not have a boss and we are making a good go of it even with the difficult economy,” said Bob.  “For the first year we tried to do everything ourselves but recently we decided to hire some part time help.”

Bob said that there is little time for leisure activities, particularly during the busy seasons of summer and around holidays.  The inn has nine guest rooms and while there are no formal meals served in a dining area, breakfasts are served in each room.

“Luckily, I am very handy and capable of making most repairs,” said Bob.  “Our big draws are the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood and the ski seasons as we are in the midst of five ski resorts.  Plus, this is a beautiful area, especially in the fall so we get our share of leaf peepers.  All in all, life is good!”    

Bob says that he is offering a 15% discount for La Salle Alumni and that he can be reached at 413-232-4600 or info@shakermillinn.com and www.shakermillinn.com