Robert E. Borah

Robert E. Borah, a resident of Seekonk for the past 65 years, died on October 10th in Providence at age 92.

Bob loved life, hockey, work, and most of all his big, fun family. Born in Providence to Elizabeth (Mooney) and Lewis E. Borah and younger brother to Dick, Bob grew up on Eighth Street, attending Summit Avenue School, Nathan Bishop Jr. High, and Hope High School. He spent a post-grad semester at The Clark School in Hanover, NH before returning to Providence where he graduated from Brown University. 

Skating and playing hockey were through lines in Bob’s life, setting the path to college, to many friendships, and to much joy and achievement. A star defenseman at Hope High, he realized the path to college for him would be through an athletic scholarship and he flourished at Brown.   A punishing defenseman with a perfect check and extraordinary stickhandling skills, he was elected a co-captain, selected for the All-New England, All-Ivy and All-East squads and invited to the tryouts for the 1956 Olympics and the 1957 National Team. In 1983, he was inaugurated into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame. When he could no longer play, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren skate, offering pointers, and gliding around local rinks and ponds. 

Bob was as ambitious at work as he was on the rink. Initially an agent for New England Life Insurance Co., he saw the need for pension consulting and established Robert E. Borah & Associates, Inc., an employee benefit consulting firm in Providence. Always eager to jump into a conversation about 401k plans and retirement strategies, Bob built a thriving firm based on deep relationships and excellent advice. He expanded his horizons to real estate development as a general partner in Charles-Orms Associates in Providence, a venture that gave him great satisfaction. 

The most important thing to say is that Bob Borah loved life. Nothing gave him more joy than Ann, his wife of 66 years, his seven children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Whether at their summer place in Truro, on the Sugarbush ski slopes, or sitting out on the deck at their home in Seekonk, Bob loved to be among his tribe. He loved to dance, play tennis, golf, ride waves, tell stories, listen to jazz, read the newspaper, and play pick-up ball of any kind. He cherished time with his children and their families, and Pops was a real favorite amongst his grandchildren. 

Even when he faced numerous health challenges beginning at age 61, he focused on all that he had and lived every day with determination, grit, and a genuine joie de vivre. With his sparkling blue eyes and brimming smile, Bob cherished every moment and often remarked that he was the luckiest guy in the world. He laughed easily; gained enormous satisfaction from the small joys of life; and never ever wanted to miss any family gathering. Every family holiday was marked by Dad, tears streaming down his face, making a toast, telling us how much he loved us. We’d tease our “crybaby” Dad, but secretly loved his raw, unfiltered emotion. 

Bob persevered through a number of health setbacks, and his determination added at least ten years to his life. Even in his final years when his vision was poor, his memory weak, and his once strong body diminished, he – with the herculean support of Ann – soldiered on, focused on living at home, and living every day to the fullest.  

Bob is survived by his wife Ann; children Bethany Ackley (Brian), Mary Gorman (Stephen), Thomas (Clare), James (Maura), John (Rachel), and David (Kara); 18 grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son Daniel, his brother Richard, and his parents. The family will move forward without him but always with his spirit of love, support and joy.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Saint Margaret’s Church, 1098 Pawtucket Ave, Rumford, RI. Graveside burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI. The calling hours for Bob will be on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage St., Pawtucket, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or Crossroads Rhode Island, 162 Broad St., Providence, RI 02903.