Robert Anthony Chianese

Bob had a presence about him that made him easy to love.

He was born in the Bronx in 1949. When he watched A Bronx Tale, he would say it reminded him of his childhood—playing stickball in the street.

Sadly, he lost his father, Anthony Chianese, at a young age. Bob and his dear sister, Lauren, grew up quickly because of it. Their mother, Lorraine, and the community around them helped ensure Bob received a strong education.

He attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, where he played football, then Sullivan County Community College, where he played baseball, before earning a degree in Psychology from SUNY Oneonta.

In 1969, Bob and Claudia met at Oneonta and fell in love. They married in 1971 and had their first child Tony in 1975 and their daughter Janine in 1977. Bob was a devoted husband and a loving provider. He loved sports and spent countless hours playing games with his children on weekends and after work. Children naturally gravitated toward him.

After college, Bob held a variety of jobs before beginning a long career in human resources in Manhattan. In 1983, he and Claudia moved from the Bronx to Newton, New Jersey, where Bob commuted to the city for a decade before accepting what would become one of his favorite roles at Newton Memorial Hospital, just five minutes from home.

At the hospital, Bob thrived. He became a respected leader and a beloved member of the community. Known for his calm, firm, and soft-spoken communication—and perhaps for always driving a Cadillac—colleagues affectionately nicknamed him “The Godfather.” With Bob, you always knew where you stood.

Bob and Claudia also enjoyed a wonderful social life in Newton. They were famous for their Halloween parties, spent Friday nights with the “Pizza Group,” and took many memorable trips. Bob loved playing golf and poker with his close friends.

Bob retired in 2008, and he and Claudia moved to Ormond Beach, Florida. While retirement brought many days on the golf course and time with dear friends, Bob also faced health challenges and the loss of his beloved son Tony in 2018. Though life could never be the same, Bob continued to cherish time with family. He and Claudia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with trips to Italy and Bermuda, and he treasured time with his daughter and grandchildren.

For the past nine months, Bob was cared for at home under hospice. True to his nature, he remained good-humored and gracious, enjoying his favorite foods and visits with family and friends. He was lovingly cared for by Claudia, Janine, and his devoted caregivers—Hazel, Monica, Sheila, and Heather—as well as the compassionate nurses at Halifax Hospital.

Bob leaves behind his wife of nearly 55 years, Claudia; his daughter Janine; his grandchildren Dominic, Marcela, and Alexandria; his daughter-in-law Louise Garcia; his bonus daughter Laura Schneider; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and dear friends.

He will be remembered for his strength, his logical mind, his sense of humor, his appetite for life—and for food—and for his beautiful head of hair.

To honor Bob’s life, an online memorial video is being created. Friends and loved ones are invited to share memories or comments below, to be included in the memorial.