Robert Keith Symonette

Robert Keith Symonette, Born July 3, 1964, passed away on July 11, 2022. He was born in Ft Lauderdale, FL, was a resident of Gainesville,Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida and resided in Atlanta, GA for the past 30 years.

Rob performed as a one-man band, singing and playing guitar to a background track at local establishments. He made a name for himself as one of the best guitarists in the Atlanta area. His Red Fender Strat was his baby! He was a true rockstar on stage and he always brought such joy to all who heard him sing and play.

For over 30 years, Rob was a private music instructor (guitar, piano and drums) and was known as “Mr. Rob”. He was incredibly beloved and had a true gift for teaching music to children and adults. His warm smile and beautiful soul spoke to children’s’ hearts and he made breakthroughs where other music tutors failed.

Robert was able to play so many instruments aside from guitar, such as piano, drums and trumpet. He also knew how to tune pianos and fix cars.

There were so many ways to describe Rob: Funny, kind, compassionate, unselfish, and a true friend to all.

He played lead guitar in several bands over the course of his life, including: Superbad Something (FL), Porch Honkies, Breaking Sarah and Blank. He was once selected to audition with The Red Hot Chili Peppers as a lead guitarist. He was too tall apparently, but they were incredibly impressed by his mad guitar skills. He loved performing until his last day.

Robert enjoyed traveling and visited many cool sites in the US including Hawaii, Alaska, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and Niagara Falls to name a few.

He was educated in South Florida and attended Buchholz High School (Gainesville, FL) and graduated from Boca Raton High (Boca Raton, FL) He studied music education at both Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville as well as Broward Community College, Ft Lauderdale, FL.

Rob was predeceased by his father James Milton Symonette; stepfathers Ronald Thomas Lambert and Robert Daniel Hagerman. He is survived by his mother,

Sylvia Hagerman; brother, John Symonette; Sisters Nancy Lambert Hays, and Julia Lambert Mazza. Other surviving members include brother-in-law, Patrick Mazza; niece Annamarie Mazza; nephews Nicholas and Brendan Mazza and Andrew Symnotte; uncle, David Lynch (Jo Lynch) and cousins Jack Lynch and Rustin Lynch.

A Celebration of Life to honor Robert will be announced at a later date.