The Rowley Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of life-member Robert A. "Bobby Bear" Whitehead.Robert died Thursday, March 26, 2009 in the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington following a brief illness.
Born in Lynn on December 21, 1946, he was the son of Maria C. (Gagnon) Whitehead of Beverly and the late Ernest B. Whitehead. He had resided in Beverly for most of his life and was a graduate of Beverly High School. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
Bob was employed as a forest firefighter at the Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield for many years. He also was a volunteer firefighter for the towns of Rowley and Rockport for several years. He was an active member of the Cardinal Alumni Association as well as the Legend's Drum Corps and the St. Kevin's Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also a member of the Franco-American Club in Beverly.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by two daughters, Christina L. and her husband, Joseph Fasano of Stoughton and Renee J. Whitehead and her companion, Samuel Correa of Beverly, for grandchildren, Haley Carter and Nathaniel Correa both of Beverly and Benjamin and Jacob Fasano both of Stoughton, a brother, Mark Whitehead of Salem, Bob's longtime friend Sheila Blais of Beverly, his former spouse and her husband, Rita G. and Frank Ball of Beverly and many cousins.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 30th in the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Cabot St., Beverly at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday in the Gronding Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly, from 1-4 PM. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Cardinal Alumni Scholarship Fund, PO Box 5054, Beverly Farms, MA 01915. Interment will be held in the North Beverly Cemetery.
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A moment of silence and brief prayer were held for Bob at tonight's department meeting. Rest in peace, Bobby Bear. We'll miss you and your sense of humor.
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