Hon. Robert J. Gigante

Hon. Robert J. Gigante, 75 passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Born in 1948, Surrogate Gigante graduated from the University of Dayton, Ohio, and earned his juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University College of Law. He was admitted to the Bar in the states of New York and Florida, having worked for the Legal Aid Society before practicing private law. Robert was active in the Democratic County Committee, Surrogate Gigante served as its Law Chairman from 1978 to 1980, and from 1981 to 1990. In May 1990, he was elected the County Chairman of the Richmond County Democratic Committee, making him the youngest county leader in the state. Shortly after he was elected a member of the New York State Executive Board. Robert was elected a Clinton delegate for the Democratic National Convention from 1992 and 1996 Democratic National Convention. In November 1999, Surrogate Gigante was elected a New York State Supreme Court justice from the 2nd Department, comprising Brooklyn and Staten Island. He began serving a 14-year term in January 2000, and sat in Kings and Richmond Supreme Court. In November 2007, he was elected the Surrogate of Richmond County with the endorsement of all political parties. In November 2009, Gigante was appointed to the administrative board for the Office of Public Administrators. In May 2015, he was elected for a two-year term as president of the Surrogate's Association of the State of New York. For nearly two decades at Christmas, Bob was the head of the annual Teddy Bear Drive, a brainchild of Gigante, where he collected more than 1,000 stuffed toys to be delivered to hospitals and organizations across Staten Island and in Manhattan as a way to help brighten the holidays for children with cancer. Robert is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Barbara. Loving father to Robert A. Gigante, Giana Elise Gigante Pedersen (Jorden), Chad Joseph Gigante (Lacey) and Christian Tyler Gigante. Cherished grandfather to Charley June Gigante, Alessia Gigante Pedersen, Jaxon Joseph Gigante and Arabella Gigante Pedersen. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 16, 2023 at St. Ann's Church located at 101 Cromwell Ave Staten Island, New York 10304. Interment will be in Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, NY. At the family's request in lieu of flowers donation in Roberts name to Meals on Wheels or Atlas Foundation

Hon. Robert J. Gigante

April 3, 1948 - October 11, 2023