Robert Bob J. Tomazin Sr.

Robert J. Tomazin Sr. (age 81) U.S. Army Veteran

Beloved husband of the late Rosemary nee: Rabetz

Loving father of Robert Jr. (Cindy), Caryn (Brian) Balding and Robin Tome.

Proud grandfather of Shannon, Christopher, Lindsay, Breann, Brett, and Ashley.

Great-grandfather of Devon, Zeke, and Jacob.

Honored brother of Tony “JR” (Charolette), Lawrence (Connie), William Sr. (Nancy)

and the late Edward (Rosie).

Uncle to many and a friend to all. Proud member of K.S.K.J. and

Chi-Orioles’

Funeral Service: Monday August 2, 2010 Chapel prayers 10:30 am to 11:30 a.m.

Mass at St.Bede.

Visitation: Sunday 2pm-9pm

at Chapel Hill Gardens Funeral Home 11333 S. Central Ave. Oak Lawn, Il 60453

Interment: Resurrection Cemetery

Please visit www.chapelhillgardenssouth.com to celebrate Bob’s life.

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To Robert J. Tomazin Sr., the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Bob, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Bob really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Bob was born on June 6, 1929 at St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Anthony "Anton" Tomazin and Mary Papish. Bob was raised in Chicago, Illinois above the Famous "Tomazin's Tavern". Even as a child, Bob had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn't help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Bob was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Bob managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Bob was raised with four siblings. He had two older brothers Edward "Eddie" and Anton "Tony - J. R." and two younger brothers Lawrence and Billy.

All of Bob's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Bob experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in playing neighborhood football, but his favorite sport was chasing a cute little girl named Rosemary around the block.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Bob was a class “cut-up.” He didn't do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Bob simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Bob, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Bob's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Bob graduated from Harrison High School in 1947. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Bob never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Bob to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Bob delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Bob was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Bob utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were his brothers and all the guys in the old neighborhood. Later in life, he became friends with Tom Falvey and so many others; there is not enough paper to list them all. Bob was a lot like Frank Sinatra....He did it his way! Bob loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Bob very easy to approach. On October 29, 1951 Bob exchanged wedding vows with Rosemary Jean Rabetz at St. Stephen Catholic Church on 22nd and Wolcott in Chicago, Illinois. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Bob related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Bob was blessed with three children one son Robert John Jr. "Bobby”, and two beautiful daughters Caryn and Robin. They were also blessed with six grandchildren Shannon, Christopher, Lindsay, Breann, Brett, and Ashley, and three Great Grandchildren Devon, Zeke and Jacob. Bob had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Bob's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Bob had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Bob was a real “people person.” he had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Bob liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Bob was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Bob's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Bob as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was as a general contractor. He owned and operated his own architectural and home improvement business B & R Home Improvement and B & R Architectural Sheet Metal.

Bob was an Army Veteran. He was in the in the service from 1951 to 1953 at that time Bob was released from active military service and transferred to ERC for 5 years,. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of CML Svc Plat AGD 8385 AU APO 949. He received several military honor awards.

Bob enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Bob liked creating and making things. His favorite pursuits were fishing, singing, dancing and doing anything with his family." FUN" was where ever he was! Bob was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Bob felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Bob loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Bob relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Bob never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Bob played football. Recreational sports included boating, being on many bowling leagues,shooting dice, playing lottery and his scatchies-scratch off's...and still chasing Rosemary!!! Bob was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were any sports his grandchildren played and of course all the Chicago teams. Da Bears were his favorite.

Bob had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Bob's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. In high school, Bob continued singing and was a member of the High School choir as well as St. Stephens. Throughout his later years, Bob was an active member of the Chi-Oriels and K. S. K. J.

A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Bob often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, Bob was a member of several community groups, serving as the "UN-Official" Mayor of Kenneth and his neighborhood before they even titled it “Neighborhood Watch”. Bob was always out there and available to help any of his neighbors.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Bob recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a practicing Catholic for his entire life. Growing up he was a member of St. Stephen's Church and then St. Bede. During that time, he was a member of the Holy Name Society and the job he loved was being a Sunday usher. People liked giving when he collected. It could have been that contagious smile and charm he had.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Bob was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Bob was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included the many he and Bobby won at the Home Shows at Ford City and Orland Park for their displays or the ones he received from The South side Builders Association but the one he treasured the most was being considered # 1 DAD and GRANDPA by his family- who just loved him to bits.

Living life in the fast lane suited Bob just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included anywhere with Rosemary. The best of times were their trips to Hawaii and Alaska. Bob's favorite guy trips were all his fishing trips.

Bob was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people One of Bob's favorites, was when Bob was still living at home,it was his dog named Curley, which was a wire haired terrier. After he was married he and the family had "Lady" who was a border collie. They were best friends for over 12 years. His family was rounded out by "Rosemary's" Siamese cats.

Bob believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived, Bob brought the New Millennium in by officially retiring… so he said... but we know Bob, he actually never really retired. Bob took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Bob remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in his trips to Dunkin Donuts every morning. His trips to get his lottery tickets every night and in between it gave him more time to spend with his little sweetheart Ashley holding her hand and loving her. He also had more free time to get together with his brothers and friends which that meant any time was a Tomazin Party. As said before where ever Bob was the FUN was! Even in retirement, Bob continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Bob passed away on July 29, 2010 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Bob fought a brave battle against lung cancer. He is survived by his very loved children Bobby (Cindy) Tomazin,Caryn (Brian) Balding, Robin Tome, his cherished grandchildren Shannon, Christopher, Lindsay, Breann, Brett and Ashley, his treasured great-grandchildren Devon, Zeke, and Jacob. His favorite brothers Tony "JR" (Charlotte), Lawrence (Connie), Billy (Nancy) and Rosie, along with his many in-laws, relatives, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him so very much. Services were held at St. Bede Catholic Church. Bob was laid to rest next to the love of his life Rosemary(He is now chasing her all over heaven) in Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.

Bob brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Robert J. Tomazin Sr. lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.