Born in Paterson on June 25, 1966 to Robert and Beatrice (Mol) Southway, Robert spent his early years growing up in Hawthorne, New Jersey. He began working at a young age and carried that strong work ethic with him throughout his life. As a teenager, he enjoyed tearing through trails on a dirt bike, with a thrill for engines and machines that only grew with time.
In 1990, Robert and his beloved wife Lisa relocated to Sussex County, where he remained a proud resident for the rest of his years. For 37 years, Robert was a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 825. He wasn’t the type to sit still—unless he was sitting in the cab of a tractor, bulldozer, or any other form of heavy equipment machine. Whether on a job site or his own property, Robert found genuine satisfaction running machinery. In his free time, he enjoyed attending various heavy equipment auctions to admire the mechanics, the craftsmanship, and the stories each piece of equipment told.
Robert will be deeply missed by his family and friends, and he will be remembered for his steady presence, his lifelong dedication to hard work, and his love of the land and the machines that helped shape it.
Robert leaves fond memories to his beloved wife, Lisa Southway; his son Kenneth Southway and his wife Mandy; his daughter Jessica Southway; his sister Beverly Vander Wiele and her husband, John; his sister Barbara Breeman and her husband, Don; and many loving family members.
A Visitation for Robert will be held Monday, July 14, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, NJ 07860.
Warm memories and condolences to Robert’s family may be offered below.
