CALLAHAN – Robert J. (Bob) died peacefully on September 12th, 2023. Very recently predeceased by his beloved wife, Rosalia (Roz). Survived by his devoted daughter, Maureen (Gary) Buchheister and his deeply cherished grandchildren, Kyle, Lindsey and Shannon Buchheister and Julianna Lisa. Predeceased by his beloved daughter, Kathleen (Mike) Lisa, and his treasured parents, Anna and William, loving sister, Marie (Jim) Healey, and brother, William, and dear aunts and uncles. Dear uncle of many loving nieces and nephews with whom he shared exceptional and deep relationships.
Bob was raised in St. Veronica’s parish in Greenwich Village and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and Rutgers University at the top of his classes. He commenced what became his lifelong career as a banker at First National City Bank rising to the position of Assistant Vice President and most importantly, where he met his wife, Roz, working together at what is now known as CitiBank. Bob and Roz were married in 1965 and were blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Maureen, choosing to put down roots for their family in Dumont which became a treasured town for them to call home.
Bob and Roz were devout parishioners of St. Mary’s Church and strongly supported the parish’s role in the community in its myriad functions. Over many, many years, they were regulars at Grant Street Café enjoying their customary table where they made countless memories with other patrons and staff that became like a second family to them. Bob enjoyed the daily challenge of the New York Times crossword puzzle and nightly Jeopardy in which he excelled at all the answers. He had an eclectic taste in music and played a variety of musical instruments, including piano, accordion and concertina. Bob also loved singing and dancing with Roz anytime music was being played. He treasured the vacations of his youth at his Aunt Julia’s Greenwood Lake home and in the later years, the annual family vacations in Wildwood with Roz and his children and grandchildren, his in-laws, Rose and Martin and his niece, Jo Ann. Bob especially enjoyed welcoming everyone to their extended family Thanksgiving dinners, preparing detailed menus and even constructing tables to his exacting specifications big enough to accommodate all at one sitting. Bob and Roz shared a very full life raising a family together and had just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past January.
Viewing will be held on Sunday, September 17th from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 18th at 11:00 AM in St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 280 Washington Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628. Entombment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 300 Soldier Hill Road, Township of Washington, NJ 07676.