Robert J Rice

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Robert J. Rice, 88, a lifelong Staten Islander who enjoyed people, died Sunday in Eger Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville, where he had been a resident since 2002.

Born in New Brighton, he moved to West Brighton as a child. After graduating from Curtis High School, he enrolled in Manhattan College, but left after sophomore year to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving stateside.

After the war, he worked for the Brooklyn-based Charmer Industries for 42 years as a liquor salesman on Staten Island. He retired in 1988.

He then launched a new career as a bartender at two West Brighton neighborhood bars, the Buzz Inn and the Blue and Gray. He retired in 1996.

Working as a bartender had nothing to do with earning money. He didn’t need it, said his daughter, Kathleen Sininsky.

“He enjoyed people and he liked to have fun,” she said.

He also enjoyed Big Band music, gardening, the Jersey Shore and football.

Mr. Rice was a parishioner of St. Paul’s R.C. Church, New Brighton.

His wife of 60 years, Miriam, died in 2006.

In addition to his daughter, Kathleen, Mr. Rice is survived by a son, Robert J. Jr.; four more daughters, Donna Croteau, Patricia Morrow, Mary-Jo Isoldi and Jacqueline Rice-Rogers; 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be tomorrow from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Paul’s Church. Arrangements include cremation.