Robert Jay Mandel

Robert “Bob” Mandel passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025, after spending time with his two sons, Marc and Richard.

Born on May 25, 1926, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Bob was the youngest of four children of Rose and Herman Mandel. He shared a particularly close bond with his mother, Rose, who once heroically saved his life at the age of five, sustaining a life-altering injury in the process. Together with his siblings, Lenard and Myra, Bob grew up in a loving and tightly knit family.

As a teenager, Bob was an enthusiastic Boy Scout, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout and two palms—a reflection of his determination, leadership, and sense of service. In 1944, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and stationed in the Philippines with the 4th Air Force Headquarters during World War II. While in the Air Corps, he helped establish Nichols Airfield in Manila, earned a Bronze Battle Star, and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Upon returning home, Bob used the GI Bill to pursue higher education, graduating from New York University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

Throughout the 1950s, Bob applied his engineering skills to the garment industry, building a reputation for improving manufacturing efficiency. While working at Maidenform Bra, he met Beverly Platt—the love of his life. They married in May 1955, beginning a partnership rooted in love, respect, and deep devotion.

In the 1960s, Bob held senior leadership roles at the Kaiser Roth Corporation, where he chaired the manufacturing division. Later, he co-founded Miss Fashionality, a successful women’s blouse company that thrived through the 1970s and 1980s. Under Bob’s leadership, the company expanded multiple times before eventually being sold to a public garment firm.

Despite a successful career, Bob’s true passion was always his family. He was a selfless father who put the needs of his wife and sons above all else. When his sons married, he embraced their wives, Sarah and Naomi, as daughters. He was always excited to see them and be with his family, especially during the holidays they hosted.

Bob was a devoted do-it-yourselfer, constantly working on home renovations and acting as the family handyman—not only for his own home but also for his nieces, nephews, and later, his grandchildren. His unwavering optimism, kindness, and charm were felt by everyone he met—but most especially by his four grandchildren: Rebecca, Brian, Joseph, and Anna. To them, he was a mentor, a role model, and a source of boundless love.

Bob believed deeply in treating all people with compassion and respect. Values he lived by every day.

In his later years, Bob found a warm and vibrant community at Winchester Gardens, where he lived for 14 years. Known and loved by all, he remained active and engaged—chairing committees, fostering connection among residents, and even pioneering the now-customary practice of wearing name tags to help everyone feel more welcome.

Bob is survived by his sons, Marc and Richard; daughters-in-law, Sarah and Naomi; and grandchildren, Brian, Joseph, Anna, Rebecca, and her husband, Alex. He was, and will always be, remembered as a gentle soul with a bright spirit and an open heart.

A funeral service for Robert will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11AM at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039. The family will be receiving guests from 10:15AM-10:45AM. The burial will follow at B'Nai Jeshurun Cemetery, 1334 Carrington St, Elizabeth, NJ 07208.