Robert Rene

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Rene, who left this world on November 3, 2026, surrounded by his beloved family and loved ones. Born on June 13, 1959, to Robert and Catherine Rene, Robert lived a life defined by love, laughter, loyalty, and, above all, family.

Robert was also an extraordinary husband to his beloved wife, Lisa, with whom he shared more than 45 years of marriage and a lifetime of love. From their very first walk together, their journey was built on a foundation of genuine love, partnership, and the shared dream of creating a happy home for their family. Together, they built a life filled with memories, laughter, devotion, and the kind of love that only grows deeper with time. Lisa was his love, his partner, and his person. Their life together was a testament to what it means to choose one another, every day.

If there was one thing Robert was meant to do in this life, it was to be a father. He became a dad at just 17 years old, and from that moment forward, he knew he had found his greatest purpose. Being a father wasn't simply a role he filled; it was who he was. It was his calling, his greatest joy, and the part of his life he cherished most. And he was nothing short of phenomenal at it.

Robert was an incredibly present and devoted father to his three sons, Robert Jr., Andrew, and Shawn. He wasn't just their dad; he was their best friend, their confidant, their sounding board, and their biggest supporter. He was there through every chapter, every triumph, every struggle, and every uncertainty. His sons never had to wonder whether he had their backs, because he always did. No matter what life brought their way, they knew they could count on him.

He taught his sons some of life's most important lessons, not by telling them who to be or what to do, but by encouraging them to think for themselves and find their own way. His advice was always offered with a familiar, gentle beginning: "If it were me..." or "I'm not telling you what to do, but..." He gave them the freedom to make their own choices while making sure they never felt alone in making them. Perhaps one of his greatest lessons was reminding them that "It's okay to not be okay." He gave them permission to be human, to feel deeply, to stumble, and to know that they would always be loved. That is the kind of father he was.

Nothing brought Robert greater pride than his family. He was a devoted father, a proud grandfather, and a loving great-grandfather. His greatest legacy lives on through Robert Jr., Andrew, and Shawn, and through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Amanda, Kiarah, Gavin, Aidan, Andrew, Shawn, Mia, Harley, affectionately known as "Pudge," Dalilah, and Amira. Each of them held a special place in his heart, and each will carry a piece of him forward.

Robert loved so many things in life. He had a special place in his heart for animals and children, and he enjoyed sports, especially his beloved New York Mets, New York Jets, and New York Rangers. Some of the family's most treasured memories were made on Sundays, gathered together with his sons, watching the games. Those Sundays were about so much more than sports. They were about being together, sharing laughs, talking, cheering, and simply enjoying one another's company. Those ordinary moments became extraordinary memories, and they will be cherished forever.

Music was another of Robert's great loves. He appreciated all kinds of music and genres, but Bob Dylan held a particularly special place in his heart. If one song could serve as the soundtrack to his life, it would undoubtedly be "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It captured so much of the man he was: genuine, humble, loving, and guided by the things that truly matter.

Robert had a special gift for making people feel at ease. He was funny, kind, and had a way of helping others see the brighter side of things, even when life felt difficult. He wanted people to feel better, to find the positive, and to remember that things could be okay. His humor could lighten a room, his kindness could comfort a heart, and his presence made people feel safe and accepted. He was, in every sense, a good man.

Family was everything to Robert. He didn't just say it; he lived it every single day. He showed his love by being present, by listening, by supporting, by laughing, by offering advice, and by standing beside the people he loved without hesitation. He created a home where love was constant and where his family always knew they belonged.

While his passing leaves a tremendous emptiness in the hearts of those who loved him, his legacy is anything but gone. It lives in the lessons he taught his sons, in the love he shared with Lisa, in the memories made around the television on Sunday afternoons, in the music that will forever remind them of him, and in every generation of the family he loved so dearly.

Robert was surrounded by love when he left this world, just as he had surrounded others with love throughout his life. He knew he was loved, and there is comfort in knowing that he was never alone.

There will never be another Robert Rene. He was a remarkable husband, an extraordinary father, a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, a loyal friend, and a genuinely good human being. His family was his greatest accomplishment, his greatest joy, and his greatest legacy.

Rest peacefully, Rob. Thank you for the love, the laughter, the lessons, the Sunday games, and for always having our backs. You taught us that it's okay to not be okay, but you also taught us that we are never alone. Your love will continue to guide us, your voice will forever echo in our hearts, and your memory will live on in every life you touched.

You were loved beyond measure, you will be missed beyond words, and you will never, ever be forgotten.

Visitation will be held at Werst & LaBella Funeral Home, 71-41 Cooper Ave, Glendale, NY 11385, US, on November 9, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at All Faiths Cemetery, 67-29 Metropolitan Ave, New York, NY 11379, US, on November 10, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.