Robert Christopher Gannon

Bob was born in Brooklyn, New York to John and Josephine Cassidy Gannon on August 26, 1938 and was the youngest brother of John, James, Eileen, Gerard, and Sister Margaret Gannon IHM, all of whom preceded him in death. He was the proud beneficiary of 16 years of Roman Catholic education, to include Brooklyn Prep High School and Fordham University. With bright blue eyes, a quick wit, and a welcoming smile, Bob made friends easily.

After his Fordham graduation, Bob attended the U. S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon his commissioning, he served as a Supply Corps officer aboard the USS Willis A. Lee, a Navy destroyer deployed to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While in Newport, he had the great fortune to meet the love of his life, Ann Boyko of Fall River, Massachusetts. He married Ann, also a naval officer, in Newport on January 19, 1963. They would spend the following years raising a family while building careers that found them relocating to many places, including New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, Houston and Dallas. Following his retirement from the chemical industry, Bob and Ann divided their time between Sarasota and Newport. He and Ann lived in Lakewood Ranch and later moved to the Bay Village of Sarasota community.

Throughout Bob’s life, his commitment to his faith and his family were evident in how he spent his free time. He was active in the Catholic Church and served as a lector, eucharistic minister, catechism instructor, and confirmation sponsor. He also served as a swimming official in support of his children’s endeavors over many years. Bob officiated at a wide variety of local and state-level age group swim meets, high school swim meets, international competitions and the U. S. Olympic Trials. After his children became adults, Bob spent time volunteering, golfing, bowling, singing with the Chorus of the Keys, and traveling domestically and internationally with Ann and their friends. Until very recently, he enjoyed weekly poker and Scrabble games as well as calling Bay Village’s weekly bingo games.

Unfailingly friendly, kind, and polite, Bob was a true gentleman. He will be remembered fondly, and missed deeply, by the people who had the opportunity to know him. He is survived by Ann, his wife of nearly 62 years, his daughter Julie Muir of Virginia, his son Robert Scott Gannon of Lakewood Ranch, his grandchildren, and a host of in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves behind many, many friends. As a devout Catholic, Bob looked forward to being reunited with family and friends who predeceased him. He also had no doubt that the people who will miss him following his death will have the opportunity to be reunited with him when their time comes.

A visitation for Robert will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home - Wiegand Chapel, 7454 S TAMIAMI TRL, SARASOTA, FL 34231. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Patrick's Catholic Church, 7900 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations in his memory be made to Chorus of the Keys (chorusofthekeys.org) or a charity of your choice.