Robert N. Forgeron

He is predeceased by his parents Estelle and Nelson, his siblings Charlotte and Harry (Violet), and his significant other of 20 years Virginia Yusken. Bob was the beloved father of daughter Michelle (Mike), son Karl, and Virginia's daughter Jeanne (Carl). He was the proud "Grampa Tools" to Jake, Jon, Jason, Sophia, Audrey, as well as Virginia's grandchildren Jenna and Angelo. He was the fun uncle to several nieces and nephews and many of his cousins he also called close friends.

Bob was born and raised in Chatham and was a 1948 Chatham High School graduate. He spent most of his life in Ill., but in 2005, he moved back to Chatham to be the full-time caregiver of his sister, Charlotte. That was not Bob's first time being a caregiver, however. Back in 1948, Bob attended Brandeis University for only 1 year until his father got sick and he left school to help his mother care for his father. Bob returned to Brandeis in 1950, but soon after, in March 1952, he enlisted in the US Army. He served in Korea for 17 months and achieved the rank of Sergeant and received various medals, bronze service stars, and emblems. He was a high speed radio operator. He was selected for the Signal Corps Leadership Course and as company commander by his peers. After his honorable discharge in March 1955, he finished his college career in 1960 at Springfield College, graduating with highest praise.

Bob held various jobs after that, but spent most of his career as an Inspector for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Chicago, Ill., where he was detailed in his investigations and reporting and received numerous awards. He retired early from the ATF in 1990 and began traveling with Virginia to places like Germany, Mexico, St. Thomas, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Upon his retirement, Bob also took up woodworking and made many beautiful pieces of furniture until he started focusing on making smaller, more intricate designs (intarsia pieces). Bob loved doing crossword puzzles in pen, reading multiple newspapers daily, and solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles with only a few letters showing. He loved sitting on the porch and visiting or just "watching the grass grow", and would wave to all the passersby. During summer, Bob might also have been seen in the yard trimming the long rows of hedges straight across. Bob loved reading history books, especially those about the Civil War. Bob loved 1940s music, to sing along at the band concerts, and to dance. Bob would always rather arrive 20 minutes early for a meeting than 1 minute late. He liked watching 24 hour news programs and baseball. Bob liked to poke fun at himself that that he only had 2 hits in his entire baseball career, but all the huffing and puffing he did at the plate made it sound good (and earned him the nickname "Hot Air"). He loved 7&7s, ice cream, and seafood. He boasted that he ate 6 little neck clams every day for 9 years straight. He enjoyed eating out, and when waitresses asked if there was anything else they could get for him, Bob would reply, "a hug and a kiss". He would say that 9 times out of 10, he'd get turned down, but that 10th time always made it worth it.

More than anything, Bob loved spending time with family and friends. He loved to discuss anything from history to current topics and to tell stories and make people laugh. Bob always looked forward spending time with the Chatham Retired Men's Club, Men's Discussion Group, Veteran's Group, Caregivers' Support Group, and of course, with the Forgeron cousins every Sunday morning. Bob was a master storyteller and had a loud, distinct laugh that his loved ones will always hear clearly in their minds. He is already greatly missed.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Church in Chatham on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a burial service in Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Friends of the Chatham Council on Aging, the place where Bob said many good times were had and friendships were formed. 193 Stoney Hill Road, Chatham, MA 02633.

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