Bobby Bruso at work at the annual Fire Department safety demonstration on the lawn of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven on Thursday, 7/20/17. Neighb News file photo by Beth David
Bobby Bruso left an indelible mark on the town of Fairhaven and its people. He instilled his very unique creative vision, serving as the Cable Access Director. In less than a year he rejuvenated the town with his forward-thinking take on technology. He started in February 2017. In late-December of that year, he was admitted into the hospital due to a sudden illness and passed away on February 13, 2018. He was 55.
I had known Bobby for close to three years. I was robbed of my closest friend, teammate, creative energy, and fiancé. I believe the town was robbed of an incredible individual, and a friend to many.
Being from France, I discovered how amazing life could be in this small American town through Bobby’s passionate and positive outlook.
The Board of Selectmen decided on February 28 that a scholarship in honor of Bobby would be created, in recognition of his work and achievements. A heartwarming gesture of appreciation for the man who loved the town of Fairhaven so much.
Photographer, videographer, drone pilot, designer, marketer, artist… Bobby fitted many titles. He wasn’t quite the sit-at-a-desk type. He was running around, driving around, even flying around. He didn’t go for too long without his drone or his cameras. He was always on the lookout for a story to tell, for new ideas to come up with and for new projects to start. You could walk to Fort Phoenix and sure enough, you would see Bobby perched on top of a rock, taking pictures of a distant ship, of the ocean, or of a particularly mesmerizing sunset. You could go to a restaurant and hear Bobby strike up a conversation with the owner about the upcoming show they would do together. He was able to make friends and work connections anywhere and anytime.
He didn’t seem like he would ever stop.
His sense of humor will go down as his most famous trait, along with his unforgettable joie-de-vivre. “Bobby and I were the goofiest together,” “He was such a funny guy,” “He brought so much joy here,” his friends and coworkers remember of him. He would hum Christmas carols all year long, at work, at home or in stores, spreading the cheer to strangers, too.
It is hard for me to fathom how much Bobby was able to do in Fairhaven in such a short amount of time. He built a studio, set up an online platform to livestream meetings, created a website, covered all events, promoted the town…He did it all with passion, energy and dedication.
I know for a fact that his head was full of ideas and projects. He did not have the time to carry them all out — there were so many. But he knew where to go and where to take the town. If, as Selectman Murphy stated, his “legacy will continue,” we can be reassured. No matter what, Bobby left an empty spot, one that will never be replaced. He is dearly missed.
Clotilde Percheminier, France
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