Robert "Bob" Wittren

Robert “Bob” Wittren passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at age 68.

Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2023 and took his diagnosis the same way he lived his entire life, with a positive and upbeat outlook. Bob grew up in Groton, MA, the son of the late James and Judith Wittren, who owned the Groton Drug Company. Raised and educated in Groton, Bob graduated from Groton High School in 1973. He went on to earn a Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and returned home to work in the family owned pharmacy. After making a career change, Bob joined a local landscaping company for 13 years as manager/supervisor, but it was his love of animals and desire to own his own business that propelled him to start 4 Paws ‘n Tails Pet Sitting in 2000 which became beloved by his clients for almost 24 years. 

Away from his business, Bob loved watching our New England sports teams, he was an avid golfer, and his true passion was karate. Bob had been training in karate since the 90’s and his dedication paid off when he became a 6^th degree master level black belt in 2021. When you think of “Uncle Bobby” as his nieces and nephews would call him, you think of how cool, calm, and collected he was, and all the fun memories of going to his house for cookouts. Bob loved the outdoors, where his property was always pristine, his beloved Siberian Huskies ran around, the birdfeeder was full, the grill was on, and the pool was ready for a swim. He was an extremely active person, always with a project to do or a hand to lend. 

Bob met his partner Anne Fratturelli of Pepperell, MA in 2007 and have been soulmates ever since. Bob and Anne truly loved spending time with each other, traveling to explore new places, including their favorite place Aruba, and going on so many amazing adventures together. 

In addition to Anne and her family, Bob leaves behind his twin sister Diane (Wittren) Zapenas, his sister Cathy (Wittren) Buckley, and his sister Linda (Wittren) LeBlanc, their families including his many nieces and nephews, cousins, clients, and friends. We can all be inspired by Bob’s courageous fight, and live life in the moment and to the fullest every day. 

As was Bob’s wishes, there will be no wake or funeral.   A Family Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.  In memory of Bob, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts General Hospital for Lung Cancer Research. Donations may be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate (specify Lung Cancer Research) or checks mailed to:

Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Ste 540, Boston, MA  02114. 

If you prefer, and to honor Bob’s love of animals, a donation to Operation Delta Dog can be made in his memory at https://operationdeltadog.org.