As director of Camp Pequossette and site director for the Lowell School extended day program in Watertown, Bob Galante enriched the lives of colleagues and children with his welcoming smile and caring demeanor.
“Everybody trusted Bob. He was kind, funny, and upbeat and when he told a parent or child that ‘everything will be OK,’ they knew it was true,’’ said Beth Sahakian, Watertown director of community education.
“His office at the Lowell School was always filled with children and his passing is a great loss for our community.’’
A recipient of the Watertown Youth Coalition’s Community Spirit Award last year, Galante apparently died in his sleep on April 19, at age 39. No cause of death has been released.
“That award really touched him knowing that he had made a difference in the lives of young people,’’ said Rick Galante, his twin brother and best friend who is director of community programs for the North Andover public schools.
“Bob did not have a wife or children. But if you were lucky enough to be among his countless friends, he considered you family.
“Bob was always the person you wanted to be around and the most generous person I ever knew,’’ added his brother.
“He built a career in helping others and Camp Pequossette was a big part of Bob’s life. He loved every single minute of his time there.’’
Last year, the summertime recreational program included 225 campers entering grades 1-8 and 18 students about to start kindergarten.
The town’s recreation director, Pete Centola, said Galante was “a true community leader and mentor,’’ while assistant director Ernie Thebado called him “a problem solver, always there to listen and always putting others before himself.’’
The Galante brothers began attending Camp Pequossette, located at Watertown Middle School, when they were 5 years old. A 1994 Watertown High graduate, Bob Galante had been its director since 2005.
He formed lifelong friendships through his years as a camper, counselor, and administrator. After his wake, many of those friends gathered at a local restaurant, where they spontaneously sang the camp song in his honor.
Lindsay Graham, the director of sports information at Newbury College in Brookline, was among those that celebrated his life.
Starting in 2000, when she was a sophomore at Watertown High, Graham worked as a counselor at the camp for 11 years.
“Bob was always easy to work for and extremely approachable,’’ said Graham.
“If any of us had an idea for a new game or activity or field trip he was always willing to listen to it and help us implement them in any way possible.
“Over the years our relationship grew from more than just boss-employee into a friendship. I would always value his opinion on situations and ask for his input and what he would do.’’
In his eulogy, Rick Galante recalled the game of musical chairs that he once played with his brother in front of the entire camp when they were counselors.
“More often than not,’’ he said, “these matches ended with some version of Bob beating me and running out of the gym with his hand held high in victory and all of his campers chasing him down the hallway.
“In my eyes, Bob will always be the winner.’’
At the opening ceremonies for the Watertown National Little League held late Saturday at Casey Park, league president Bill Furtado said Bob Galante “showed kids the right path in life.’’
A moment of silence was observed with Galante familiy members in attendance. Furtado said the league’s 400 players will wear patches on their sleeves this season with Galante’s initials.
Marvin Pave can be reached at marvin.pave@rcn.com.
