I was blessed to have Bob as my next door neighbor for the years he lived in Helmetta. Bob was like a grandfather to my two boys and a mentor to me. I would like to share a letter Bob wrote to me.
 
"One hundred years from now, It will not matter what kind of car I drove, how much money I had in my bank account.  But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child."
 Robert J. Troy

It explains all those great times he created for his family.

Uncle Bob always had a light in his eyes.  He was the "Let's" with Mom's" Go" when we were young and we always wanted to go with him.  He was michievious, funny, and happy go lucky whenever we were with him.  My memories include taking all the neighborhood kids and us to the local frozen pond and making a whip.  Skating as fas as we could we would whip around and the last skater on the whip would go flying across the ice.  That was Uncle Bob's idea.  Driving in a parking lot in the dark and turning off the headlights.  Uncle Bob was a child at heart in all he did, and as children we recognized this and loved to be around him.  As I got older, that feeling never changed.  He was fun to be with, and our family was the luckiest family in the world because Uncle Bob loved us and loved to be with us.  He was included in every family vacation our family ever had.  He and Aunt MaryAnn was just a part of our family and we always had a great time.  I will miss Uncle Bob every day, but my memories will always make me smile.

Some things in life you earn.  Sometimes you just get plain lucky.  For our family, having Uncle Bob in our life was pure gold. From my earliest memories, a visit from Uncle Bob and Aunt Maryann meant good times were certain.  The love and attention he lavished on us was unbounded.  While he was a hard and dedicated worker, and most loving husband, he will be remembered far more for the mischievous childlike love of fun that he was able to retain and share throughout his life.  Everyone fortunate enough to be in his sphere was lifted and carried along, hell or high water. As I see in the many beautiful tributes posted here, his legacy lives on in the next generation. I will personally remember him most for his focus on making us, as children, his priority.  As he was often the supervising "adult", we were especially enthralled when he stretched the norms, disregarded the rules and threw caution to the wind.  Whether it was driving his car onto the ice at the pond, racing miniature electric cars, shooting off rockets or swimming accross a lake with a fishing line attached to my toe and hoping nothing would bite, he always knew where the fun was.  Happily, my adventures with Uncle Bob  as a child are memories that I will always cherish. They are a solid bridge to my youth which I have every intention of crossing again and again.

Uncle Bob  as we knew him was an exceptional man!  Everywhere he went, he brought the joy of life.  I have to say that without Uncle Bob, I would not be the man I am today.
  I remember being very young, and he would tease us relentlessly.  It was his way of pushing us to be brave and challenge our limits.  I remember his challenging us to swim across Lake Iliff.  I remember the "Johnny's on the first sep stories" right before bed.  But most of all, I remember the long talks on the couch in Edison where he would challenge me on how to get all the anchovies off the ship and into the plant for processing.  
  His ability to gain my interest in mechanics and engineering led to my current career.  When I was 10, we built a mini bike from an old snowblower motor, and it was the fastest bike in town when we were done. I was very proud.
 I passed this love of mechanics down to my sons, and they love it as much as I do.  In fact,  Jesse has this as a business.
 Uncle Bob was an amazing storyteller. I will never forget the stories of his youth.  The trips to Indian Lake with his friends; the stories from Pinecliff; the fun he shared with his business adventures, especially with Nunny.  I certainly got my competitive nature from Uncle Bob.  He was crazy when we used to play horse shoes or cards.  
  I think all of us can say this man was always a joy to spend time with.  From now on we can only do this in our memories; but we certainly have plenty of these to pick from.  I will miss you, Uncle Bob.

I don't even know where to start about Uncle Bob, the only thing I can say is already the world seems less bright. We, the Cox/Riccardi girls no longer have to be afraid that we will wake up from a nap on the beach to beady eyes gleaming at us about to throw water on us. I remember Grammy always laughing and laughing at the things he would do, her only explanation ever being "Oh Bob, hes always been a devil." I will miss the smile and the devious glaces as he planned his next attack. Holding all those memories and screams of laughter close to my heart until the end.

What can anybody say about Uncle Bob? You can talk about what he taught us: NEVER fall asleep near water, if you hear footsteps while on a dock its time to run, and the game 52 isn't an exotic card game he learned years ago. I also now drive on the rumble strips to wake people up on road trips. We can mention everything he's done for us simply by being himself with his gift of making people laugh. But most of all you can talk about how he was a highlight in our lives. I'll miss him forever and hold all my memories close.

Since before I can remember Uncle Bob has been an inspiration to the way I live life. Every year I looked forward to the family reunion that I knew from an extremely young age would include a large portion of boat flipping and near drowning from head dunking from Uncle Bob. But every year I was so excited because Uncle Bob make everyone he was around feel so alive. A man who can make everyone feel alive and welcome all of the time is a man to be honored, cherished, and idolized. For that reason Uncle Bob will always be my idol and forever hold a place in my heart.

Uncle Bob was one of the very best parts of my childhood. I truly believe that no one has made me laugh more, or made me more scared of standing on the edge of a dock! One of my fondest memories is driving with Uncle Bob to a Riccardi family reunion in North Carolina. Every time that I would start to fall asleep, he would ride on the shoulder until the rumble strip noise and vibration would wake me up. To this day it is one of my favorite car rides. I will always miss his incredible love of life that made him so much fun to be around. His ability to love with all of his heart was endless. I love you Uncle Bob!!

Uncle Bob was a huge inspiration to all of the Riccardi family.  He was always teasing Jesse and I as kids, and did even when I could tease back. He left a few Riccardi traditions to go on for generations and generations.  First is the old cow story. When the cows are laying down it is going to rain.  Second is when pulling up to an intersection in a car the driver will as, " Any mohegans???" Lastly is when you drive by your turn in a car and need to turn around using a driveway we all will say, "Company!!!!" He was a very strong man and will be missed incredibly.  He was always joking around and playing rough with the great grandchildren.  I will have many stories to pass on from Uncle Bob.  He left a good mark in the family and we will not forget it.

Uncle Bob was and forever will be an angel. Anyone who came in contact with him was blessed, whether it was with his kind words of wisdom, unique sense of humor, or simply his warm-hearted smile. My fondest memories of Uncle Bob are the many vacations that him and my Aunt Mary took me on as a little girl, from the Catskills to the Jersey Shore, and all the way down to Disney World. I feel so special to have been blessed with such a wonderful and amazing uncle who made these experiences so special and created such fond memories that I will cherish forever.

My Uncle Bob was the nicest, funniest, kindest, and caring man that I will ever meet. I have so many wonderful memories of our summers in the shore house in Point Pleasant Beach.  He was always my 'buddy.' Whether it was going bicycle riding, attempting to playing tennis or taking dips in the ocean, where he would of course dunk me, he was always there for me.  He was the best uncle that any little girl could ask for.  I wish I could have been there to say thank you for all he did for me. I was truly blessed to have him in my life!

Bob was my fathers favorite and no wonder, he took great care of his parents in their old age,he made sure they got to the doctor on time. He took Mom for rides down the shore and allowed me to drive without a license. He worked from the time he was 16 delivering food and liquor to the people in our neighborhood till he was 69.He was always filled with life and always smiling. He tried always to make the other person comfortable and happy, whether it was a stranger or family. He did much for me in my young days, protected me against bullys, taught me how to dress, prevented me from quitting high school, talked me out of joining the Marines,got me my first car out of his own pocket. Then when I was working found me a real good deal on a 1953 Mercury in excellent shape. He was a man who always tried to do the right thing and usually succeeded, there was not a lazy bone in his body. He was his wife's caregiver. the hardest job on earth. for the last years of his life till life brought a dread diesease to him and made it impossible to do.He thought that was the only thing to do, take care of Maryanne even when he was not feeling so great himself. I never told him but I wish I had. I am proud of him and glad he was my brother. Dick Troy

Meeting him the first time as an adult, I remember being welcomed as if he had always known me.  I know my father Dan would like to be with you at his service but he will be there in spirit.  Our love and best wishes for the family.  
Patrick and Dan from the West Coast

Bob was a loving Son, Brother, Husband and Uncle who will especially be remembered for his smile, joy of life and his genuine love for all the children.He made them feel special and they all had a great time while with him just by his being the "kid" he was with them. He was a great husband who loved and cared for Mary Ann until he was no longer able.He was a caring person who was always there to give help and assistance for anyone when asked. We all celebrate a life well lived and each of us have fond memories we will cherish forever. 
Kathy Troy

BOB TROY

B  --  Best Brother, Uncle, Husband
O --  Outrageous, Open-minded, Open-hearted
B --   Best Friend, Boss

T --  Teacher, Teaser, Trickster, Troublemaker, storyTeller
R --  Rowdy, Rebel, Rascal
O -- Outstanding, Optimistic, Outspoken
Y --  YOU,  Bob, will be sorely missed, but your stories, twinkling eyes, and smiles will live on in all of us and our children forever!

Uncle Bob, Thanks for all the Fun and Adventure!!!!

Love

Uncle Bob will always be remembered for his great wit and kindness.  I have fond memories of him taking me and my sister to the drive-in movies and parks when we were young and giving us allowances each week for shopping for Pop Troy.  He will surely be missed; however, Heaven has gained another Troy angel to watch over us all.

I will always remember Uncle Bob as he was when he ate dinner at our house and teased my Mother. He was always joking and filled with stories. He and Aunt Maryann used to take Dorrie and me to the beach or the movies. We always had fun. His peaceful passing is a blessing. I will sorely miss him. Niece, 
Alice

OBITUARY

Robert J. Troy

23 June, 1930 – 11 October, 2012

Aycock Funeral Home & Hillcrest Memorial Gardens

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