Robert Reynolds

Robert (Bob) Reynolds, 79, unexpectedly passed away May 24, 2017 at his home in Port Chester, NY.  He was born on August 29, 1937 in Jersey City, NJ to Edward and Helen (Egan) Reynolds.

Bob grew up in Jersey City, NJ and after school entered the US Marine Corps where he proudly served for 3 years and was deployed to the Pacific Rim including Hawaii/Taiwan during the cold war and rose to the rank of Corporal Drill Instructor and was honorably discharged in April of 1959.

Upon leaving the Marines Bob met and married Phyllis Tomasi and adopted her son Louis. They had two additional children, Michael and Gail, and were happily married for 13 years living in the Lyndhurst/Nutley NJ area until the untimely death of Phyllis in a car accident left Bob to raise two young children on his own. In spite of this tragic loss the family prospered and Bob ultimately became a committed and beloved grandparent to seven.  Bob also became a big brother/father figure to countless others whom he met as a volunteer at the Covenant House and Big Brothers of America or during his business career.

Bob was always a hard worker having numerous occupations over the years but spent the bulk of his working life in the automobile wholesale business along with a long time friend and business associate Richard Catena.  Bob also spent a number of years in Key West Florida as the proprietor of an Italian Deli/Restaurant called Felice which means happy in Italian and is also a play on the name of his beloved wife Phyllis.  Always very active, Bob never retired, most recently he was driving for Uber.

Bob had many interests/passions in life.  He was an avid sports fan with a special love for the Yankees, Giants and Notre Dame. He took up running in his 50’s and completed several marathons including the NYC and Jersey City events. He loved watching birds and sunrise/sunsets.  He had an amazing green thumb and loved gardening/landscaping. But perhaps his greatest passion was for family and food. He was an amazing cook who’s repertoire spanned the gamut from traditional dishes like Pork Roasts, Corned Beef, and Thanksgiving feasts complete with favorites like red cabbage and creamed onions, but perhaps more surprising was how he also mastered all the Italian classic dishes.  Bob’s meatball, sausage and pasta meals were legendary for their delicious simplicity and even his scungille salad turned more than a few skeptics into committed converts.

Bob is survived by his dear girlfriend Brenda Josephson of Port Chester NY, sons Louis, Michael (spouse Dianne), daughter Gail (spouse Richard Martin), his brother Edward of Hendersonville, NC, his grandchildren Ryan, Kelly, Noelle, Jack, Egan, Luke and Warren and his nieces Cathy, Karen, Eileen, Peggy, Christina, and nephews Robert and Anthony as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Il Villaggio located at 651 Route 17 N Carlstadt, NJ on Friday, June 9, 2017 from 12-4PM.  There will be a short blessing and eulogies from his children to begin the event and then lunch will be served. During this time anyone who wishes to say a few words will be welcome to address the gathering.

In accord with what they know would be Bob’s wish, rather than flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to either Covenant House (www.covenanthouse.org) or Big Brothers of America (www.bbbs.org).

Condolences may be left on an online guest book for Robert Reynolds at: www.craftmemorialhome.com/listings

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