Robert J. Brighenti

Robert J. Brighenti
January 29th, 1946 – October 26th, 2022
Beloved father, grandfather, friend…
 
Robert (Bob) Brighenti, peacefully passed away on October 26th, 2022, in his home in Athol, MA. Bob was born in Winchendon, MA on January 29th, 1946. He was the late son of Reno & Natalie Brighenti. His beloved wife Joan, passed away in May 2022. Bob leaves behind his daughter Angela Hicks, and her husband, Scott, both of Everett, WA. He also leaves behind his daughter, Rose, of Fitchburg, MA, and her two children, Joey and Kayla. No words can express how devastated we are to lose our dad. He was an amazing man! He was a pain in the ass, but he was our pain in the ass. Bob also leaves behind his two brothers, Tony and Mark, and their wives Sherry and Jodie. Bob also leaves behind his cousin Colleen, whom he thought of as a sister. They were very close. Bob leaves behind his beloved friends Charlie & Sue Ponusky. They were an amazing support system for him and he was lucky to have you both. Their daughter, Cassia, was his Goddaughter, and he loved her very much. Bob leaves behind many other family members and friends. The list is endless. 
 
Bob graduated from Athol High School in 1963. He joined the Navy in 1964, and after boot camp in Illinois, he was stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station in Georgia. He was then assigned to the Boston Naval Shipyard in the Special Services Division. Bob served two tours of duty aboard the USS Intrepid. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in May of 1968.
 
After returning home from the Navy, Bob attended Worcester Junior College, earning an AA in Business in 1969. Bob then moved to Coral Gables, FL, and studied education at the University of Miami. He graduated with a BA in Education in 1972. Bob received his Master's in Education from Fitchburg State College in 1979. Bob then returned to his hometown Athol and became a history teacher. Later on in his career, he taught business classes in the evening division at MWCC. 
 
Bob retired from the Athol-Royalston School District in 2000. Bob was very motivated in life and wanted to continue contributing to his community. He pursued a career in real estate as a side job and graduated from the Lee Institute of Real Estate. He became a licensed real estate broker, practicing real estate for over 30 years. He opened his own real estate business in 2005. 
 
Bob was a member of many local community organizations as well as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion Post 102, and the Athol-Orange Elks Lodge until its closure. Bob was very active in the Athol Council 1182 Knights of Columbus. He was also an active member & Board Director of the North Worcester County Quabbin Anglers Association. There are many more to list but it would take up too much time and this place charges by the hour, so we’ll just end it there. Bob was an ambitious guy, let’s just give him that.  
 
As everyone knows, Bob was a man of faith. He was very involved with his church, Our Lady of Immaculate and for many years, he served as a Eucharistic Minister. 
 
After he retired from his teaching career, he took up a part-time job as a bartender (which was odd because the man never drank!), at the Marriott Hotel in Westborough, MA. This job was an escape from reality, as he used to say. He liked meeting new people and talking to them as we all know he was a talker. 
 
For many years, Bob & Joan participated in the Massachusetts Special Olympics…but not as athletes. They participated, by sharing their boat at the Quabbin Reservoir with the real athletes! 
Bob enjoyed losing balls on the golf course, swimming at the YMCA, and vacationing at his home in Ft. Myers, FL, even though he had to drag Joan there every year. Bob survived Hurricane Ian, but unfortunately, his home did not. We believe this was the final straw for him, however, we feel comfort in knowing that Robert Joseph Brighenti can finally relax.
 
Thank you all for coming to celebrate his life with us. 

In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol, MA 01331 in Robert's name.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, and Douglas M. Stone, Funeral Directors