Robert B. Sweet

Robert “Bob” Sweet, 75, of Holden, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at UMass Medical Center after a brief illness and a 16-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. 

Bob leaves behind his soulmate, Linda A. (Angelico) Sweet, who he loved for six decades, his daughters, Dr. Traci-Marie Sweet (wife Karen Finnegan) of Plymouth, MA, and Amy L. (Sweet) Bisson (husband Kevin Bisson) of Holden, MA, along with his beloved grandchildren, Nicholas Vincent Kasparian, Kevin Connor, Ryder Alexander, and Elizabeth Octavia Bisson, who adored their Papa. Bob, referred to as #1 by his brothers because he was the oldest, is also survived by his brothers, #2 Gary Sweet of Shrewsbury, #3 Jay Sweet of Charlton, and #4 Mark Sweet of Shrewsbury, who are now left to uphold the Sweet family mischief quota, brotherly teasing, and lunch meetings at Coney Island which they are known for. He was predeceased by his parents, Silas B. Sweet and June (Johnson) Wilson, and his sister, Nancy Wilson, who are undoubtedly welcoming him with open arms.

Growing up in Shrewsbury, Bob and his siblings grew up in the big red house next to the former Shrewsbury High School, where he met Linda in 1966. They married, started their family, and settled in Sterling, MA for nearly 25 years. Bob and Linda’s 60-year journey together, filled with laughter, friendship, a few detours, and deep love is proof that, despite stops and starts, true love really does prevail.

Bob approached life like he approached a drag race—full throttle, a little reckless, and always entertaining. As co-owner of ASE Services, Inc. which he later successfully sold, he retired at the age of 36, which meant he had decades to find new ways to keep busy and annoy Linda. Naturally, he chose drag racing of all hobbies in the world, where he drove “The Boston Strangler” Alcohol Funny Car and set a “best in the decade” track record of 5.96 seconds in the quarter mile at New England Dragway in 1992. Because once was not enough, he repeated his “first in the fives” achievement with a 5.99 second run in 1994. His record-breaking runs would not be beat for the next 6 years. After he felt he’d received enough accolades, wins, and trophies, not just in racing but in his life overall, he transitioned to a more "leisurely" profession owning Worcester County Memorials…because what better way to keep things light than selling headstones?

Outside of work, Bob had a talent for growing perfectly manicured green grass (which he reminded everyone about), grilling a mean burger (despite occasional flare-ups), and hitting the golf course, where he played like a semi-pro (in his mind, at least). He was a sun-worshiping, baby-oil-slathering, scotch-drinking, cigar-smoking, New England sports-loving legend in his own mind. His grandsons' hockey games were his favorite entertainment, and if you ever found yourself on a golf course with him, you either witnessed pure magic or his creative interpretation of the rules.

Bob would want to be remembered as quick-witted and endlessly funny, a man who lived life on his terms and made sure everyone around him laughed—sometimes at him, sometimes with him, but always laughing. In the end, his best run was the incredible life he lived.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at UMass Medical Center, including Wissam Deeb, MD, Cindybeth Palmgren, NP, Erin Murray, NP, the nurses from 7the Floor (Sara, Lindsey, Nana, and Leah), and the nurses from 2 ICU (Sean and Steve), for their genuine kindness and care. 

Visitation will be held at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home,  61 Myrtle St., Worcester, MA, on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 PM followed by a brief service at 7:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of choice, or, if you really want to make Bob proud, buy a bottle of good scotch, hit the greens with your favorite club, take a walk down memory lane, and toast to a life well-lived.