Robert LaGreca

June 27, 1940 – May 11, 2026

Robert “Bob” LaGreca, a man of quiet strength, service, and devotion to family, passed away peacefully in Virginia Beach on May 11, 2026, at the age of 85. Born in the heart of an Italian American neighborhood in Poughkeepsie, New York on June 27, 1940, Bob’s life reflected the enduring American spirit and the deep roots of his heritage.

Bob was the son of Vito LaGreca and Antoinette Fusaro. He was raised in the family home at 17 South Clover Street, a house that, despite its age and wear, remained the center of the Fusaro and LaGreca families. His childhood was defined by his Nana’s kitchen, the scent of oregano, the warmth of a wood burning stove, and the lively Sunday dinners that anchored family life.

In July 1958, Bob joined the United States Navy with his closest friends. His twenty-year career took him across three oceans and to twenty countries. He remembered Split, Croatia with particular fondness. He served with distinction on several vessels, including the USS Des Moines, the USS Pocono during the Kennedy assassination, and the hospital ship USS Sanctuary off the coast of Vietnam. Whether tracking submarines in Grand Turk or serving on recruiting duty in New York City, Bob approached his service with discipline and dry humor. He retired as a Navy Counselor in October 1977 at Little Creek Base in Virginia Beach.

During his recruiting duty in New York, Bob met Maureen “Renee” Finn, a nurse who became the love of his life and his partner for decades. Bob was a devoted father to his daughters Kelly, Beth, and Katie. He took great pride in their achievements and in the lives of his nephew Frank and his niece Mary, who followed his path into the Navy. He was a man of habits who preferred the comfort of his chair, a cotton t-shirt, and the sound of Glenn Miller. The small certainties of daily life pleased him: a well-kept pool and the steady rhythm of lawn sprinklers. He enjoyed cooking and was exceptionally good at it, especially when it came to meatballs. After retiring from the Navy, Bob worked for the government as a plant manager at Little Creek and Fort Eustis. Later he became a familiar presence at Princess Anne High School as security and as a softball coach.

Bob is survived by his wife, Renee; his daughters Kelly Meyer, Beth LaGreca, and Katie LaGreca; his son in law Matt Meyer; grandchildren, Clover, Maggie, and Bobby; his sisters, Gloria and Marie; and his brother in law, John Gancel. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Anthony, his favorite cousin Louie Fusaro, and his brother in law Stephen Finn, and many aunts and uncles who shaped his early years.

Robert LaGreca was a storyteller who cherished the names, places, and details others might forget. He leaves behind a legacy of service and loyalty.

Fair winds and following seas, Sailor. Your watch is over.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 1:00 PM. Doors will open at noon at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.