Robert John “Bob” Piette, 68, of Westfield, Mass., passed away at home on May 21, 2026.

 

Robert was born in Hartford, Conn., and raised in Westfield by his parents Allen Piette and Gladys (Holcomb) Piette.

 

If anyone knew Robert, you would know him by Bob, Bob Dog, or Captain Bob. To the ones who loved him most, he was known as husband, son, brother, uncle, father, and grandpa.

 

Bob wore many hats. After graduating from Westfield High School, he was a truck driver for Commercial Distributing while also serving as an auxiliary police officer for the City of Westfield. He spent the majority of his career working as an operator and safety officer for Jen-Coat in Westfield, Mass. Never content to have free time, Bob worked part time on the Road Crew for the Rock 102 radio station, and as a caretaker for the First United Methodist Church in Westfield, Mass. In semi-retirement, Captain Bob emerged as a school bus driver.

 

Bob had a big everything. A big voice, a big laugh, a big appetite, but most of all a big heart with so much love for everyone in his life.

 

Bob had a love of many things. Riding his Harley, watching The Price is Right, going on vacation, going to concerts, and spending time with his family. After retirement, he enjoyed puttering around his yard, and playing with the greatest loves of his life– his two German shepherds, Sasha “Sissy” and Max.

 

The light and laughter that Bob brought can never be replaced.

 

He is survived by his wife Paula, his sisters Denise Barrett and her husband Scott of Westfield, Mass., and Suzanne Verrilli and her husband Joseph of Southington, Conn., his children Jared Piette and his wife Emily of Bethlehem, Pa., and Desirée Piette and her fiancé Ben Rosati of Hatfield, Mass., his step-children Carl Favata and his wife Danielle of Dudley, Mass., Michael Favata of W. Wyoming, Pa., and Gina Favata and Jon Kelley of Westfield, Mass., and his five grandchildren Henry, Lily, Anthony, Owen, and Andrew, and his many nieces and nephews.

 

He left this world like he left every family gathering: “chew and screw, turn and burn!”

 

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 1:00PM at the Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St., Westfield, Mass. Calling hours will precede the service from 11:00AM-1:00PM in the funeral home. www.firtionadams.com