Robert C. “Bob” Violette passed away peacefully on September 4, 2020, following a brief illness. Bob was born on December 22, 1934 in Hartford, CT, and was raised in North Granby, CT until entering the U.S. Marine Corps. after graduating from high school. Following his completion of service, Bob began a long and successful career with the McGraw-Hill Companies, ultimately retiring in 1989 as vice president and general manager of their F.W. Dodge Construction Reports division.
It was as a young reporter with F.W. Dodge in Hartford that Bob frequented a small diner during his breaks and found himself enamored by a beautiful waitress who was also studying to become a registered nurse. He ultimately built up the nerve to introduce himself and after their first date, Bob knew he had met the girl who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and fortunately Tommye Anne Garey felt the same. Bob and Tommye were married on a snowy day in February 1962. The newlyweds settled in Boston that year following a job transfer.
In 1964 Bob was transferred to New York City, where he spent the rest of his career at McGraw-Hill. Bob and Tommye settled in Nutley, NJ, where they thoroughly enjoyed their twenty-five years on Stockton Place, raising their three children and forming many amazing friendships that would last a lifetime. Bob and his family also loved spending weekends and summers at their home in Long Beach Island, NJ. They enjoyed many laughs, boat rides and memorable times with dear friends and family at the shore.
Bob and Tommye relocated to Long Beach Island, NJ and Jensen Beach, FL following Bob’s retirement from McGraw-Hill. Not long after, Bob was recruited to serve as president for a Kiplinger Publishing company in Washington, DC. After a rewarding second career, and several years enjoying the Capitol Region with Tommye, they retired permanently in 1997 into their current residence in Ballantrae Country Club in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Bob was a devoted son, brother and husband, a wonderful father, a role model to countless people, and an avid golfer with an endless number of friends on and off the course at Ballantrae Country Club. He also loved cars, household projects, volunteering at Treasure Coast Hospice for many years, and his daily 5pm cigar and martini. But Bob’s proudest achievement, and what brought him the most happiness in life, was his love for his wife Tommye, his children, and his grandchildren. Whether it was on a boat, fishing, playing golf, or just retelling his hilarious jokes and stories, Bob treasured the precious time he spent with his family.
Bob is survived by his wife and best friend Tommye, his son Brad and his wife Debbie, his daughter Beth and her husband Michael, his son Bret and his wife Jill, and his amazing grandchildren, Tyler, Devin, Peri, Charlie, Blake, Shelby, and Zach. In Lieu of flowers, donations to Treasure Coast Hospice in would be appreciated.
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