‘We are going to take back this day’: Community gathers at fundraiser in honor of Robert DeCesare
NASHUA, N.H. —
Sunday marks one year since the shooting at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua.
A former employee of the country club, Hunter Nadeau, was accused of shooting multiple people inside a Nashua country club.
Robert DeCesare was killed in the shooting as he protected his wife and daughter from the gunfire.
One year later, the Sky Meadow community and all those who knew Robert came together to “take back” the day.
“As a family and as a community, our first choice would be to have this date be insignificant, right? To have Rob with us as he was and all the days before September 20th of last year,” said Charlene DeCesare, Robert’s wife. “But since that choice was taken away from us, we are going to take back this day. We’re going to have fun.”
On the green of the golf course, people gathered to spend the day doing what Robert loved, where he loved it.
“We’re not going to let bad actions taint this beautiful place,” said Steven DeCesare, Robert’s son.
Registration for the inaugural Robert DeCesare Memorial Golf Tournament filled up in record time.
“He was tremendously loved, as evidenced by I don’t have to tell everybody here,” said Rob Parsons, owner of Sky Meadow Country Club.
At the tournament, a special gift was given to Robert’s family.
“I would like to honor Lisa, Robert’s sister, with a flag that has been flown over the State House in his honor,” Parsons announced.
All the money raised in the tournament will go toward the Robert DeCesare Scholarship for the Trades.
Robert’s family is refusing to let a horrific act overshadow the man who was a known and loved member of the community.
“I think there’s definitely been some emotions. This is, of course, the place it happened, but it’s also the place he loved. It was his home,” said Steven.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I could not be more grateful for this community and for all of you,” said Charlene.