Saying Farewell to Bob Paquette.

One couldn’t have asked for a better day. Saturday was sunny, warm but not too hot, and the summer tourists had not yet overrun Historic Deerfield or the roads leading to it past Yankee Candle.

Approximately 400 family, current and former colleagues and friends came to honor Bob in the historic First Church of Deerfield. Like Bob and Mike, the service was simple and unadorned. The Rev. Ann Hallstein, friends of Bob and Mike, led the service. Several friends and colleagues spoke. Rep. Stan Rosenberg, a longtime family friend, offered the first words of recollection, followed by WFCR staffers Martin Miller and Helen Barrington. Then, they passed the mic. Mike’s mom told those assembled how the family welcomed Bob into their home--and how Bob had a great way of making people laugh. On-air colleague John Montanari told of their special bond. Former WFCR news director Pippin Ross lent her sultry voice to the recollections. And, Tim Neumann, one of Bob’s closest friends and fellow Baptist Boy, offered a recollection that Bob would have chuckled at.

The outpouring of sympathy, condolences and grief...from that posted on WFCR’s website, to that posted on Facebook...from tributes by area media from George Lenker (The Republican) and Scott Coen (ABC40 and MassLive...it’s all been comforting. Some of the comfort comes from friends. Much comes from people who only knew Bob as a trusted voice on “Morning Edition”.

It was a tough farewell. Bob Paquette has been a major part of my professional and person life for over 20 years. But, I’m so glad our lives crossed and that we shared so much.