Robert J. Morris

Robert James Morris (a.k.a. Bob, Bobby, Baboo, Uncle Bob) left us on June 7, 2023 at the age of 91. He was our dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. We are all very sad that he has left us and we miss him terribly; however, we are comforted by our many, many happy memories.

Bob was born in New York City in the borough of Brooklyn in 1932 and lived there until moving to Lakewood, NJ in 1992.

Bob is survived by his wife, Rosemary (“Rose”; née Devery). Rose and Bob were married for 71 happy, loving years. Bob is also survived by his children Rosemary Faughnan (Tom), his son Jimmy, and Eileen Breen (Jim). Bob and Rose were also blessed with 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Bob and Rose shared a wonderful life together. They left Brooklyn after the kids had flown the coop, settling in New Jersey to start the next chapter of their lives. They spent the winter months in Florida at their condo overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Partners forever and inseparable during their 71-years of marriage they were never apart for more than a few days, total. Ever the jokester and romantic, on one their anniversaries, Bob took a small stumble while hanging a plant for Rose and he had bumped his head. When Rose asked if he was okay, he replied, “Rose…. I fell for you today…just like I did 63-years ago.” Bob and Rose both come from large families; reunions, weddings, baptisms, birthdays and anniversaries were a mainstay of their world. They were blessed to always be surrounded by family and smothered with love.

As is true with most families, we’d like to think that the mold was broken after Bob was created. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore. He was a very hard-working, career mechanic for NY City Transit Authority. He worked an unthinkable number of hours to keep a roof over his family’s head, food on the table and to put his three kids through private school. He was a gentleman and as selfless as they come, always putting his family and friends first. For many years he cared for his ailing, older brother and even moving him to Lakewood so that he could be with him on a regular basis. And for many years he also assisted in caring for his mother-in-law (“Granny”) who lived to 102.

Bob was an old-school “Mr. Fixit” with powerful, forever-diesel-stained hands and he could tear apart any engine or appliance and put it all back together again in good working order (pre Bill Gates era… of course). His eclectic pursuits are worthy of noting. He was an avid sports fan and music enthusiast. There are few people who can say they had season tickets to the NY Rangers and the NY Metropolitan Opera ….at the same time! He was a movie buff and when it came to this subject, he was a walking encyclopedia.

He also enjoyed many hobbies over his long and happy life. He bowled, he golfed, he painted, he raised bonsai trees. He was an avid reader (especially of U.S. and world history), a lover of the English language and a bit of a wordsmith, he liked trivia and etymology, which of course made him a devoted crossword enthusiast. He had a mind for math and engineering and had a neat, draftsman-style handwriting. He was a sharp and quick-witted comic as well as a gifted dancer. No matter who was throwing the party, “Uncle Bob” was always at the center leading the charge. He will be dearly missed by all of us.