Robert D. Largey Sr. died May 29, 2021, in Jupiter, Florida, in the caring company of his family. He had recently moved there from Port Monmouth, his home for the prior 53 years.
Bob was born Jan. 6, 1934, in Astoria, Queens, the second of five children of Tom and Mary Largey. His family moved to East Keansburg when he was 6 years old. He met the former Eileen Clark at Red Bank Catholic High School, where he captained the football team and she was a cheerleader.
After high school, Bob joined the Navy and served his country from 1953-1955 aboard the USS Sarasota. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Electrician Fireman (ICFN). After returning from the Navy, he and Eileen were married Jan. 28, 1956, the start of 65 happy years together. They settled first in East Keansburg and eventually moved to Port Monmouth where they raised their five children: Bob Jr. (Marianne), Mary Ellen Branin, Mike (Christine), Maureen Muttie (Joseph) and Jim (Suzanne).
Shortly after being married, Bob began his career with Jersey Central Power & Light as a lineman and attended Monmouth College at night. He retired 38 years later as a group supervisor. He was an unsung hero, out in any weather, helping to turn the Jersey Shore’s power back on whenever Mother Nature knocked it out.
A viewing will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. June 10 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. June 11 at St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church in Middletown. Bob was a loyal parishioner for over six decades, working countless carnivals and midnight bingos and regularly attending daily Mass. An entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery.
In addition to his wife and children, Bob is survived by his eight adored grandchildren, Bill, Sean, Brian, Erin, Brendan, Dan, Kevin and Kyle and his treasured great-granddaughter, Lili. He is also survived by his three brothers Tom, Richie and Joe; he was predeceased by his sister Pat.
Bob will be lovingly remembered for his seemingly cluttered yet organized garage, his joy of being on the water, and his many nicknames he collected throughout his lifetime. But most of all, he will be remembered as a man of devotion: to his wife and family, to his country, to his community and to his faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Church of St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the June 10 – 16, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
