Elisabetta (Calabretta) on January 28, 1934 in Sant’, Andrea, Italy, Robert emigrated to New
York with his older brother Peter as a 13 year old in 1947. After graduating from Tappan Zee
high school in 1954, he served four years in the United States Navy on the USS Chewaucan,
where he toured the Mediterranean.
Robert returned to his hometown in Calabria, Italy in 1961 where he met and married his
beloved wife of almost 60 years, Milena, to whom he was devoted. They lived in Suffern where
he owned and operated a barber shop and then moved to Chestnut Ridge in 1965 raising his
two sons and working for Xerox for over 30 years.
Robert had a zest for life, loved family meals, Milena’s cooking, a nice glass of wine, sitting
around the table telling stories and at any moment would play his guitar or harmonica. He was
an avid fan of opera music, especially of the Italian masters and let’s not forget Frank Sinatra.
He is survived by his wife Milena Mongiardo, his loving sons David Mongiardo, and his wife Eve,
Joseph Mongiardo, and his partner Rachel Zendt, and his cherished grandchildren Stefanie,
Michael Blaise, Michelle and Katarina.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 21, 2021 from 4-7pm at Wanamaker & Carlough
Funeral Home, 177 Route 59 Suffern, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at
10:00am on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River,
NJ. Burial will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY.
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