Published in the March 3, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Robert “Bob” Charles Bisacre Jr., a lifelong Wakefield, MA resident, peacefully made his journey to Heaven surrounded by his children on March 1.
Bob was born in Wakefield in April 11, 1937, and was the beloved son of the late Robert and Edith Bisacre. He was raised on Preston Street in Wakefield and was a graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School, Class of 1956.
A standout athlete, Bob is thought by many to be one of the most talented Massachusetts high school football players of the 1950’s and one of the finest Wakefield football players ever to play the game. Following his graduation from Wakefield High School, Bob received a full scholarship to Rose Bowl Champion Michigan State and later transferred to Wyoming University where he was the captain of the Wyoming Cowboy football team in 1961 and was the first local athlete to appear on television in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, starting as a linebacker.
After college, he became a professional football player and played four years in the Canadian Football league.
Following his professional career, Bob returned to Wakefield to raise his family. A lifelong educator, coach and mentor, he taught physical education at Wakefield Memorial High for over four decades and was an assistant coach and later head coach of the Warrior football team from 1967 to 1978.
Bob also did assistant coaching stints in the 1980s and 1990s to include Wakefield, Saugus and Marblehead. In addition to coaching football, Bob also coached men’s gymnastics and junior varsity baseball at Wakefield Memorial High School.
Bob was elected into the Wakefield High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
In addition to his many years at Wakefield High, Bob was very active in supporting the town to include serving on the Wakefield High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and as the director of the American Civic Center for 10 years.
Bob was the loving father of Col. Michael D. Bisacre, U.S. Army (Ret) and his wife Paula of West Friendship, MD, Elaine Manning of Wakefield, and Col. Brian R. Bisacre, U.S. Army, and his wife Cyndi of Arlington, VA. He was the brother of David of Oregon; Damon of Maine, and Donna Johnson of Wyoming.
Bob is also survived by his eight loving grandchildren: Jennifer, Amanda, David, Alyson, Kaitlyn, Cameron, Kevin, and Craig, and two step grandchildren, Tyler and Trevor.
He was preceded in death by his wife and best friend, Ethel, to whom he was married for 57 years; his daughter Lee Ann, son-in-law Barry, daughter-in-law Pamela, and sister Charlotte O’Flannigan.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Monday, March 6, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield, at 10 a.m.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, March 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.
