Newburyport, MA, Musician Bahama Bob Found in Merrimack River

The man found in the Merrimack River Tuesday morning was identified by Newburyport Police as Robert Urzi, a musician better known as "Bahama Bob."

The body of the 71-year-old was spotted between Deer Island and the Route 95 Whittier Bridge by a passerby. Newburyport Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with the Newburyport Harbormaster, worked to recover his body.

"We are saddened by this loss and our condolences go out the the family and friends of Bob. The investigation into his death is ongoing, but at the current time investigators do not have reason to suspect that foul play was involved," police wrote on their Facebook page.

Fans remembered Bob in the comments of the announcement.

"Just devastating! Bob was such a fun loving guy- always had a smile," Christine Proctor wrote.

"No one could get a party started like Bahama Bob Sloane. From the first chords he played at any gig you were 19 and living your best life. You were doing the Frug at the Tomfoolery in DC in the 60s. You were doing the Shag at a club in Charleston in the 70s. You were rocking on the deck at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach in 1980," Maureen Flatley wrote. "No one served up fun, beach bar vibes like Bob."

"We are so very sad to learn this horrible news about our friend Bobby Urzi," Gracemarie Joyce Tomaselli wrote.

"Bahama Bob, you filled our souls with music and had us dancing in Newburyport and on Plum Island for so many years. Thank you for all the smiles and laughter you brought. Rest In Peace. You will be dearly missed," Lori Towle wrote.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH