Robert D. Sly

Bob was born January 30th, 1931 in Scranton, PA. When he was young, he and his parents relocated to Washington D.C., where he attended George Washington University and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. After a short stint in the army, he found employment first at Melpar, a private government contractor, and then at ITT. During this period he met and married Elizabeth Harlan. At the time of his death they had been married 60 years.

Bob was a member of West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, NJ, and also Meadows Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. Bob was very active in Mended Hearts, the FISH organization and in the Western Wheelers Square Dance group, all in New Jersey.

He loved his family and was happiest when they were all together. He enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, square dancing and traveling. For him, the best part of traveling was planning the trips. His wife Elizabeth was a member of the Harlan Family in America and Bob became a Harlan by default. Organizing the trips back and forth across the country, to meetings and reunions, was his hobby. When one meeting adjourned, he was already planning the journey to the next one. And lastly, he got great satisfaction out of helping people have a better day.

Bob was predeceased by his parents and daughter Nancy D’Amaro. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth; his daughters Susan Jones (Richard) with daughter Elizabeth and Joyce Collins (Doug); son in-law Douglas D’Amaro (Laurie) with grandsons Steven, Brian and Nathan as well as cousins Marsha Worthington and Gary Sly (Linda) who mourn his loss.

Interment will take place at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, NJ, and plans are being made for a grave side memorial service later in the spring of 2021. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 140, 210 Ridge St., New Milford, NJ 07646 (an organization of ex-heart patients who give care, comfort and confidence to patients who have heart issues); or Crossroads Community Services, 325 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022. (A soup kitchen catering to the homeless).