Robert Joseph McDonnell

Robert McDonnell, 83 of Fort Myers, FL formerly of Hillsborough, NJ passed away peacefully on January 14, 2023, under the wonderful care of Joanne’s House of Hope Hospice after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Robert was born on January 26, 1939, to Helen Herrman and Joseph McDonnell in Philadelphia, PA. He was raised on Cork Lane in Pittston Township, PA graduating from St John the Evangelist High School in 1957. He left Pennsylvania for New Jersey with his three aunts and landed in East Orange. Getting away from the city living, he and his three aunts relocated to Hillsborough, NJ in 1961 where Hillsborough became his hometown, where he established his family homestead and lived until he permanently relocated to Fort Myers, FL in 2017 ending more than 30 years of snowbird travel to Florida.

Robert served our country in the United States Army and Army reserves between 1961 – 1967 and is a veteran of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

After spending his time in the Army, he went to work for the Prudential Insurance Company of America where he worked on the first mainframe computers used by Prudential to manage insurance claims and produce checks to pay out insurance benefits. He spent 38 years with Prudential retiring in 1993 and a second time in 1995. He made many friends at the Prudential and was better known as Moe Bob a name that people across knew him as rather than Robert or Bob.

Robert was a dedicated life member of the Hillsborough Fire Company #2 for more than 57 years where he was active but was particularly more active after his retirement where he was consistently a top responder until he left for Florida. He was president of the fire company during the time that the current station on Route 206 was built and at the time was the most modern in the area. A particular passion for Robert was Fire Prevention Week and providing fire safety education to the school children which his dedication was honored by Hillsborough Fire Prevention Bureau for his commitment to fire safety.

A lifelong passion of Robert’s was golf. He was an avid golfer who was dedicated to be in the first out group at the Quail Brook or Spooky Brook Golf Courses on Sunday morning for more than 40 years. It did not matter if it was freezing or oppressively hot you could find him on the first tee first thing on Sundays holding services. During his snowbird time and after he moved to Fort Myers permanently, he was a member of the San Carlos Golf Club for more than 30 years where he was a part of a group that played on Wednesdays and Fridays and were in his best-known fashion one of the first groups off in the morning. For more than 20 years Bob worked at the San Carlos Golf Club as a starter and ranger where he was well known among the members and players. While at home the Golf Channel was always on and there was little flexibility in changing the channel.

Robert was a dedicated patriarch to his family where he was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, little league coach, scoutmaster and whatever role was needed. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years Dolores of Fort Myers, FL, and his son Robert (Dawn) of Fort Myers FL. Poppy leaves behind his grandchildren Daniel Hatcher (Jackie) of Lexington, NC, Dylan Hatcher (Mickey) of Bangor, PA and Sarah Getz (Tyler) of Fort Myers FL. Additionally, his great-grandchildren Theo, Gracie, Bailey, Remy, and Jaxson who was his buddy up until the Alzheimer’s took his mind away.

His outward personality and his ability to make people laugh was who he really was touching many people who became essentially extended family where he became best known as Poppy, Mr. Mac, Freckles, Poppy Splash and many other names that reflected who he really is. He will be missed by many who can cherish him as a positive influence by whatever name they called him.

A private cremation service will be held in Fort Myers followed by a Celebration of Life Service in Fort Myers on February 25, 2023, to allow for family members to gather. Additionally, a gathering is being planned in New Jersey late in May to celebrate Robert’s life.

Memorial donations can be made in his name to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the McDonnell family.