Robert John "Bob" Vanasse

1934 - 2022

Oro Valley, Ariz. - Robert John Vanasse, 88 of Oro Valley, Ariz., passed away Sept. 6, 2022. He was born June 12, 1934, in Providence, R.I., to the late Arthur and Laurette (Denomme) Vanasse and was the youngest of six children. Rene, Emile, Herve, Paul and Therese Vanasse Caron all preceded him in death.

Robert "Bob"was an ace pitcher at West Warwick High School graduating in 1952. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league team for one and a half years before joining the United States Army. While in the Army, Bob pitched for the Army team and was spotted by a scout from the Baltimore Orioles. After his discharge, he played two years for the Orioles minor league team, and then left to marry his high school sweetheart Amelia Christina Petrarca and start a family. They were married May 11, 1957, and had five children: David (deceased), Robert, Brian, Julie and Michelle. They resided in Coventry, R.I. where Bob enjoyed coaching Little League teams that his sons played on.

In 1972, Bob and Amelia moved their family to Groton, where he was a senior designer for Electric Boat, a Division of General Dynamics. He designed mechanical equipment for submarines and traveled to submarine bases across Europe, Guam, and Hawaii, to perform ship checks of his designs.

Bob and Amelia were married 27 years and raised their family together until she lost her battle with cancer August 15, 1984. Upon her death, Bob moved to Napa, Calif., to work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, Calif. He chose to retire in Tucson, Ariz., where he met the second love of his life, Donna Cadia. They were a loyal and loving couple for 20 years until his death. They enjoyed road trips, cruises and their travel trailer. As much as Bob loved to travel, he most enjoyed the mountain and desert view from his backyard in Oro Valley.

Bob was passionate about golf. He was a natural, and loved tough competition. He could remember every hole on every golf course he ever played, from St. Andrews in Scotland, to Pebble Beach, Calif. He remained very competitive into his late seventies when he was sidelined with acute heart disease. He was also talented with his hands, making beautiful wooden tables and clocks.

Bob is survived by Donna Cadia; his children, Robert Vanasse (Joanne) of Maryland, Brian Vanasse (Maggie) of Connecticut, Julie Lewicki (Tim) and Michelle Lewicki (Tom) of South Carolina. Bob is also survived by seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob will be laid to rest next to his beloved Amelia in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, 240 Mitchell Street, Groton. A graveside service is planned at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Following the service, Bob's family will gather at the Groton New London Church of Christ hall at 151 Shewville Road, Old Mystic.