Robert Joseph Ahern
November 29, 1947 - October 16, 2022
Robert Joseph Ahern, 74, son of Joseph and Louise (Carroll) Ahern, died at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth on October 16, 2022.
Robert (Bob) was born on November 29, 1947 in Waltham, MA. He grew up in Lexington alongside his older sisters Janelle and Carroll and younger brother David. He was a dedicated student and athlete. He loved poetry, gymnastics, folk music and his TR3. He had an endless supply of stories from his early years: adventures, misadventures and of course, tales of his dog Buffy, the unofficial mayor of Lexington at the time.
Bob was an English major in college and graduated with the intention of becoming a teacher, but life had other plans. After a period of political activism (it was the 60’s), he moved to Cape Cod with his future wife and became, in his words, “an accidental businessman”.
Bob met Cynthia (Cecy) Amos in 1970 and the couple moved to Cape Cod in 1972. They began working at Swan River Restaurant and Fish Market that same year. They eventually bought Swan River in 1983 and owned it for twenty years before selling it in 2003.
Bob and Cynthia were married on a beach in Provincetown in 1975. The wedding party (five people total) passed the remainder of the day under a pier as the tide came in and went out again. There may have been some champagne.
Robert and Cynthia had two sons, Eric and Brendan. The family spent winters in Florida when the boys were younger, and eventually expanded the Swan River Seafood business to Naples, Florida, with a retail fish market, restaurant and wholesale fish business.
Bob was a successful entrepreneur who always stayed positive and calm under pressure. He was also an avid reader, intelligent and quick-witted, and had boundless love for his family, including all his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and especially granddaughters.
After selling Swan River in 2003, Bob finally pursued his teaching career, teaching English as a foreign language. He worked with international students up until 2020. He took pleasure in helping others be successful.
Bob was an avid fisherman, loved being on the water, and loved walking in nature. Summer boat trips were dedicated to friends and family, and friends of family. Uncle Bob’s free fishing charters always had 5-star reviews.
Even during the rough time in his last months, music would bring a smile to his face as he tapped out a rhythm on his guitar. And he never failed to light up when his granddaughters’ little faces came on the screen over video calls.
Bob is survived by his wife Cynthia (Amos) Ahern, sons Eric Ahern (wife Sophie Sithamma) and Brendan Ahern (partner Aline Corrêa), Aunt Flo Harris, sister Carroll (and husband Earl Lepper), brother David Ahern (and wife Deb), sister-in law Pat Amos, granddaughters Louise and Charlotte Ahern-Sithamma and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Janelle Kennedy Slobodkin (survived by husband and brother-in-law Sid Slobodkin).
There will be a memorial service to honor Robert Ahern at the Winchester Unitarian Society, 47 Main Street in Winchester, MA, on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 10:30AM.
Donations may be made in Robert’s name to the local charity of your choice or in his memory to The Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod.
Robert (Bob) was born on November 29, 1947 in Waltham, MA. He grew up in Lexington alongside his older sisters Janelle and Carroll and younger brother David. He was a dedicated student and athlete. He loved poetry, gymnastics, folk music and his TR3. He had an endless supply of stories from his early years: adventures, misadventures and of course, tales of his dog Buffy, the unofficial mayor of Lexington at the time.
Bob was an English major in college and graduated with the intention of becoming a teacher, but life had other plans. After a period of political activism (it was the 60’s), he moved to Cape Cod with his future wife and became, in his words, “an accidental businessman”.
Bob met Cynthia (Cecy) Amos in 1970 and the couple moved to Cape Cod in 1972. They began working at Swan River Restaurant and Fish Market that same year. They eventually bought Swan River in 1983 and owned it for twenty years before selling it in 2003.
Bob and Cynthia were married on a beach in Provincetown in 1975. The wedding party (five people total) passed the remainder of the day under a pier as the tide came in and went out again. There may have been some champagne.
Robert and Cynthia had two sons, Eric and Brendan. The family spent winters in Florida when the boys were younger, and eventually expanded the Swan River Seafood business to Naples, Florida, with a retail fish market, restaurant and wholesale fish business.
Bob was a successful entrepreneur who always stayed positive and calm under pressure. He was also an avid reader, intelligent and quick-witted, and had boundless love for his family, including all his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and especially granddaughters.
After selling Swan River in 2003, Bob finally pursued his teaching career, teaching English as a foreign language. He worked with international students up until 2020. He took pleasure in helping others be successful.
Bob was an avid fisherman, loved being on the water, and loved walking in nature. Summer boat trips were dedicated to friends and family, and friends of family. Uncle Bob’s free fishing charters always had 5-star reviews.
Even during the rough time in his last months, music would bring a smile to his face as he tapped out a rhythm on his guitar. And he never failed to light up when his granddaughters’ little faces came on the screen over video calls.
Bob is survived by his wife Cynthia (Amos) Ahern, sons Eric Ahern (wife Sophie Sithamma) and Brendan Ahern (partner Aline Corrêa), Aunt Flo Harris, sister Carroll (and husband Earl Lepper), brother David Ahern (and wife Deb), sister-in law Pat Amos, granddaughters Louise and Charlotte Ahern-Sithamma and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Janelle Kennedy Slobodkin (survived by husband and brother-in-law Sid Slobodkin).
There will be a memorial service to honor Robert Ahern at the Winchester Unitarian Society, 47 Main Street in Winchester, MA, on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 10:30AM.
Donations may be made in Robert’s name to the local charity of your choice or in his memory to The Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod.
