Robert J. "Bob" Forisso Jr.

Robert J. Forisso, Jr., 81, of Haverhill passed away on January 12, 2026 at Lowell General Hospital, with his family by his side, following a sudden illness.

Robert was born in Haverhill on July 11, 1944; he was the son of Robert J. Forisso, Sr. and Mildred (Ellis) Forisso. He was one of four siblings. He was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1962. After high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country honorably as a Platoon Sergeant in the Vietnam War. His time in Vietnam stuck with him throughout his whole life. It was one of the most important parts of him and yet one of his greatest sources of pain. He served from 1963 through 1967, returning briefly to active duty in the early '70s. He continued his service even further, serving in the Marine Corps reserves for a number of years while he continued his academic studies and readjusted to civilian life.

Bob studied at Northern Essex Community College, graduating with his Associate's in Business and a 4.0 GPA. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University in 1978, where he earned Summa Cum Laude honors, then went on to receive his Master's in Business Administration from Suffolk University. Robert worked many jobs to support himself over the years. He owned and operated Forisso Real Estate in Haverhill for many years. He worked as the Assistant Assessor for the City of Haverhill in the 1980s and served as a political campaign manager for a few mayoral candidates. His final career path was as a paper carrier for the Boston Globe and later the Eagle-Tribune, where he worked for decades until his retirement in 2009. In his later years, he volunteered as a transport driver for the VA, driving veterans and their families in and out of Boston, Lowell, Bedford and Jamaica Plain for doctors' appointments.

Robert was truly a "larger than life" man. He was known as Bob, Bobby, Uncle Bobby, and his most prized title, Dad to his daughter Emily, who came along in his 55th year of life. Bob loved the beach and music. He was a lifelong performer. His laughter, outgoing personality and endless stories would fill each room he walked into with so much joy. Bob was an accomplished musician, a singer, guitarist and ukulele player. He played many gigs at the 5 O'Clock Club at Salisbury Beach with his band "Bob & Ralph". He was always singing, even in his final days. Bob passed his love of performing onto his daughter, Emily, and was always so supportive of her in all of her endeavors, whether they were dance recitals, theatre performances, or concerts. Bob was a man of many talents, but arguably his best talent was being a father. He was a single father to his daughter Emily and always did everything he could to be both "mom" and "dad".

Robert will be forever remembered as a loving father, brother, and friend to so many. He is survived by his daughter Emily C. Forisso of Manchester, NH, his brother-in-law Dale of Windham, NH, his half-brother Eric and his wife Christine, and countless beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved grandparents, Giuseppe "Joe" Forisso and Marjorie Forisso of Haverhill, his parents, Robert J. Forisso, Sr. and Mildred Forisso of Haverhill, his sister Judy (Forisso) Barton, his brother Dennis Forisso, and his sister Debra (Forisso) Robinson.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Friday, January 16 from 11AM until 1PM, followed by a funeral home chapel service at 1PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Burial to follow at Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.