The tight-knit community remains in shock after the tragic death of 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare. He was fatally shot on Saturday night in the workers’ housing at the Sky Meadow Country Club. DeCesare was having dinner with his wife and children. They had just been planning his daughter’s wedding when the shooting interrupted their conversation.
Evie O’Rourke, Robert DeCesare’s mother, shared the tragic story of her son. He threw himself in front of the gunman and his family, dedicating his own life to saving them. The accident most grievously impacts those that knew and cared for him. His family and friends will always cherish his memory as a loving husband and devoted father and true friend.
Charlene DeCesare, Robert’s wife of 27 years, could hardly contain her heartbreak. She referred to the killing that took her husband’s life as a “heinous act of a coward.” She recounted the terrifying moment when she and her daughter were closest to the shooter, Hunter Nadeau, who had previously worked at the country club.
Investigators say that there are no obvious ties between Nadeau and Robert DeCesare. John Formella, the attorney general, stated, “We don’t have any evidence at this time that would indicate that Mr. Nadeau was motivated by hate-based motivation.” He elaborated after that, saying the early evidence indicates that Nadeau was looking to cause general havoc, rather than having any specific person as a target.
Witnesses told police they heard several shots fired at the family reunion. Robert DeCesare’s actions are being applauded as heroic. He allegedly acted on instinct to protect his family from danger.
“Our lives are forever changed in one moment that would be senseless except for the belief that Rob was trying to protect me and my daughter, and maybe others there too,” – Charlene DeCesare.
The immediate response to the shooting has unleashed a torrent of theories about what could have driven such a tragedy. Evie O’Rourke, chief public affairs officer for Metro Transit, called on the public to avoid speculation.
“Beware the speculation and utter nonsense that is being posted about what happened and why,” – Evie O’Rourke.
She reiterated that this kind of speculation only makes things more difficult for law enforcement officials who are busting their buts trying to figure it out.
Along with his love for golf, poker and pickleball, Robert DeCesare will be remembered as a family man devoted to his wife and two daughters. His widow Evelyn explained that, as any good husband ought to do, Elwyn would respond reflexively to shield his loved ones.
“He did what I’m sure was his instinct to do,” – Evie O’Rourke.
In response to this tragedy, community members have rallied to improve road safety and ensure that Robert DeCesare’s life is not lost in vain. Family friend Rob Parsons noted the seriousness of the crash, saying it was “just awful.”
“This was the heinous act of a coward who will be held to account for what he did,” – Rob Parsons.
As federal and state investigations go forward, local folks are still trying to come to terms with the loss of a man whose life impacted so many. The shooting was just about 45 miles from the unarmed Boston, inspiring interest from around Massachusetts and New England, too.