Robert “Bob” Fesh, 85, of Derry, NH – dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend - passed away on Tuesday December 20, 2022 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH surrounded by his wife of 52 years, Rose Mary, and their sons, Randy & John.
Bob was born June 7, 1937, in Danbury, Ct. and was a son of the late John and Anna (Kranko) Fesh. He was raised and educated in Bethel, Ct., graduating in 1955. In high school he starred in soccer, baseball, basketball (led league in scoring) and competed in track and field where he was state champion in the javelin and 4th in the quarter-mile. From there, Bob attended Niagara University on an athletic scholarship for basketball and baseball and was the baseball team MVP as a freshman.
That summer he attended the Washington Senators baseball school to be coached by Lefty Grove and Johnny Vander Meer and exited with multiple professional offers. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization as a pitcher and played in their minor-league system, prior to a career ending elbow injury sustained while pitching to Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.
Returning to Connecticut, he attended Danbury College and started his path as an entrepreneur which included owning a diner and restaurant before transitioning into harness horse racing. He found a passion for horse racing and was a successful harness horse owner and sulky driver all around the northeast for a number of years before retiring and turning his focus to his family and politics.
Bob was a State Representative serving Derry for thirty years, prior to his retirement. He served on the Regulated Revenue as well as Criminal Justice and Public safety committees as well as serving as a member of the Rockingham County Executive Committee. He was previously a member of the Derry budget committee, highway safety committee, school advisory committee, as well as the police building committee. He also served as president of the Derry Fraternal Order of Eagles social club.
Bob was a lifelong sports enthusiast and fan who loved his Boston teams second to only watching his own sons' sports endeavors. In their early years, he spent countless hours after school teaching and playing baseball and basketball with them. He coached several successful teams in their youth and loved further teaching his children and their teammates the skills and love of sports that he had. When he wasn’t watching or coaching sports or legislating you could find Bob at home enjoying his family, tinkering with various projects around the house, or cooking and grilling the family meals. Bob was a tireless worker who sought to instill in his children his strong work habits, sense of responsibility, and endless knowledge and know how. It was during these teachings that his love of his children, family and life really shown brightest.
Bob also really enjoyed growing his own garden and going down to the Halcyon club to have a drink, play cards, and hang out with his friends. In his later years he absolutely loved and cherished being a grandfather as he and Rose would often babysit or take their grandchildren to the park. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
Family includes Bob's wife of 52 years, Rose Mary (Belair); his son, Randy and Randy’s wife, Lea, and their children – Rodney, Hayley, Alexander, Elizabeth, and James; his son, John and John’s children – Madisyn, Raelyn, and Haevyn; his son, James Fesh and his wife, Gail, and their children; his son, Robert M. Fesh, Jr.; his daughter, Lori Mauldin and her husband Scott, and their children; and his daughter, Cynthia Fesh Eriquez and her children. Bob was predeceased by his brother Donald and half-brothers, John Jr, George, and Steven.
Following cremation, calling hours will be held Thursday December 29, 2022, from 5-8 PM at the Peabody Funeral Home, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. A Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated Friday December 30, 2022 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry followed by a bereavement meal.