Obituary for Robert James "Bob" Sharpe
Robert James Sharpe, known as Bob to everyone except maybe his sisters who always called him Robert! passed on Tue April 14th 2020 at the age of 81. I (his son Christopher) have been showered with condolences and there’s a common theme amongst them. “He was the best neighbor ever”, “he was one of my favorite people”. Everyone loved my father. He would stop and talk to anyone; it didn’t matter who you were. Even the tollbooth worker on the Whitestone bridge after picking me up from a CA redeye. I always expected them to have some choice words (because it was generally rush hour), but they actually seemed happy someone was interested in how they were doing. They always responded with something pleasant to say and a smile. This was my Dad, he could make most anyone smile, well except his sisters who generally rolled their eyes.
Bob was a kind soul bringing joy to his world. Bob was a loving husband; everyday he would take care of my mom’s (Lesley) basic needs when she could no longer take care of herself. When the day finally came that she had to go into a nursing home, he still went daily to feed her lunch and do her laundry. When my mom passed on July 24th 2016, it seemed like every nurse came to her service (many came on their break). Of course to pay respect to my mom, but I know it was driven by the deep admiration they had for my Dad's dedication and love for her till the very end.
Robert! was a jokester constantly kidding, “when I drive at night, my aunt said, I look at the curb to avoid the lights”, “oh, you have one of those trick eye’s do you?” Robert! would say. His sisters (Dorothy and Loretta) were constantly at the punch line of his ribbing. Never mean, many times clever, but always fun in nature. Dad was the last of his siblings including his two brothers (John and Ralph). And getting all those guys together was like an episode of The Three Stooges!
Bob was a dedicated construction worker (sense a theme). He worked his way up from oiler to operator (the guy who drives the crane to the guy who operates the crane). His job was hard work, but I believe he loved what he did. It took his back, it took his knees, but he wouldn’t have changed a thing. Being a construction worker, there were a lot of nasty things said on the job, Bob was right there with them, “What The Devil”, he would say. Yes, that was it, that was the strongest thing I ever heard come out of my father's mouth. That statement made such a strong impression on my friends growing up, we still text WTD in place of things like “are you kidding me!?” and “that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!".
Robert was an Army veteran, a proud American, and after retirement an active member (at times a leader) at the "Newtown Senior Center". After retirement, my mom was someone who would rather stay home and read a book, but not my dad. I’m sure many times, he brought my mom to the senior center whether she wanted to or not! But I’m absolutely positive, it made her life better and more fulfilled because of it.
Pretty much every day after my mom passed, it was the “Newtown Deli” for breakfast, maybe lunch, the “Pizza Palace” for lunch or dinner, and the Senior Center in between. I want to personally thank everyone at each place, you were his extended family, it gave him purpose and it gave him joy right up until the end.
My father will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery next to my mom as he planned. Due to the situation in the world today, there can only be a small service at the cemetery, no more than 10 people, they tell me. I know there are many people who would like to pay their last respects to him, so I will try to have a memorial once we are allowed to gather as a community again. Until then, people can send me any notes you may want to my father's email: rjsharpe6239@gmail.com. I will do my best to pass on the thoughts and prayers from everyone during the burial.
In lieu of flowers, please support your local businesses; Get takeout or gift cards from the Deli or Palace, this would be a great way to honor my father. Or consider donating to CDC by visiting www.cdcfoundation.org To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com
Bob was a kind soul bringing joy to his world. Bob was a loving husband; everyday he would take care of my mom’s (Lesley) basic needs when she could no longer take care of herself. When the day finally came that she had to go into a nursing home, he still went daily to feed her lunch and do her laundry. When my mom passed on July 24th 2016, it seemed like every nurse came to her service (many came on their break). Of course to pay respect to my mom, but I know it was driven by the deep admiration they had for my Dad's dedication and love for her till the very end.
Robert! was a jokester constantly kidding, “when I drive at night, my aunt said, I look at the curb to avoid the lights”, “oh, you have one of those trick eye’s do you?” Robert! would say. His sisters (Dorothy and Loretta) were constantly at the punch line of his ribbing. Never mean, many times clever, but always fun in nature. Dad was the last of his siblings including his two brothers (John and Ralph). And getting all those guys together was like an episode of The Three Stooges!
Bob was a dedicated construction worker (sense a theme). He worked his way up from oiler to operator (the guy who drives the crane to the guy who operates the crane). His job was hard work, but I believe he loved what he did. It took his back, it took his knees, but he wouldn’t have changed a thing. Being a construction worker, there were a lot of nasty things said on the job, Bob was right there with them, “What The Devil”, he would say. Yes, that was it, that was the strongest thing I ever heard come out of my father's mouth. That statement made such a strong impression on my friends growing up, we still text WTD in place of things like “are you kidding me!?” and “that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!".
Robert was an Army veteran, a proud American, and after retirement an active member (at times a leader) at the "Newtown Senior Center". After retirement, my mom was someone who would rather stay home and read a book, but not my dad. I’m sure many times, he brought my mom to the senior center whether she wanted to or not! But I’m absolutely positive, it made her life better and more fulfilled because of it.
Pretty much every day after my mom passed, it was the “Newtown Deli” for breakfast, maybe lunch, the “Pizza Palace” for lunch or dinner, and the Senior Center in between. I want to personally thank everyone at each place, you were his extended family, it gave him purpose and it gave him joy right up until the end.
My father will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery next to my mom as he planned. Due to the situation in the world today, there can only be a small service at the cemetery, no more than 10 people, they tell me. I know there are many people who would like to pay their last respects to him, so I will try to have a memorial once we are allowed to gather as a community again. Until then, people can send me any notes you may want to my father's email: rjsharpe6239@gmail.com. I will do my best to pass on the thoughts and prayers from everyone during the burial.
In lieu of flowers, please support your local businesses; Get takeout or gift cards from the Deli or Palace, this would be a great way to honor my father. Or consider donating to CDC by visiting www.cdcfoundation.org To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com