Robert Anthony "Bobby" Azzarello

Robert Anthony “Bobby” Azzarello, age 89, formerly of Hayward, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System Northland Hospital in Barron, WI.  He was born on February 6, 1935 in Chicago, IL, the son of Sam and Ethna (Harrison) Azzarello. 

Bobby suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was only three years old, but it did not stop him from living a long and fulfilling life.  He enjoyed building things which led to one of his favorite hobbies, model trains.  Bobby was a lifelong Lionel Train enthusiast, spending hours setting up, wiring and operating his train lines.  He was very active in the Hayward community, helping with community dinners on Wednesday evenings at First Lutheran and assisting with coffee and other refreshments Sundays after Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Bobby volunteered with the Lions Club for many Musky Festivals and had a vast collection of Musky Fest T Shirts to show for. He also took part in the Fishing Has No Boundaries events, earning many awards and ribbons for his catches and never failed to proudly show them off to all the people he knew at Sawyer County Home and Health Services.  Bobby was a gentle soul and loved socializing, especially with the people at the Coop Restaurant where he was a daily customer.

He is survived by his brother, Leonard Azzarello of Washburn, ME; his niece, Brynda Lynn Wood of Dover, DE; his caregiver and friend, Josephien Osmundson of Seeley, WI; and many dear friends.

In addition to his parents, Bobby is preceded in death by his brother, Karl William Azzarello; his sister-in-law, Patricia Pearl Azzarello; and his nephew, Steven Lee Azzarello.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Hayward Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at 1:00 P.M. in Greenwood Cemetery in Hayward.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Anthony "Bobby" Azzarello, please visit our floral store.