Robert Rocco DiDonato, Jr.

October 23, 1938 - November 27, 2020

Robert Rocco DiDonato Jr, age 82, of Eltingville, passed away peacefully Friday evening, November 27, 2020 at Staten Island University Hospital North. Robert (also known as Bob, Bobby and Rich) was born on October 23rd, 1938. He married his friend and love Estelle DiDonato, on October 16th, 1958 who preceded him in death in 2007. He was a native Staten Islander who graduated from Port Richmond High School. He loved to work and lived to love. He was an entrepreneur at an early age. He had a very successful newspaper route as a boy and was loved by all, his charming personality made him the recipient of many large tips. His love of cars and entrepreneurial spirit led him to be the founder of Richmond Auto Body, a successful business he started in 1961. He was hardworking and dedicated to his craft and all the people he worked with. He was an icon in the city of Newark and never let anything get in his way. A longtime Yankee and wrestling fan, Bob was also an amazing baker who loved feeding others. His pecan tassies, crumb cakes and Linzer tortes were family holiday favorites. He always made it a point to have almond crescents on hand when his grandson Joseph was visiting. He loved baking for everyone but especially for him. He loved his house and knew how to make it a home. He had a knack for gardening and grew enough tomatoes and Italian peppers to feed the neighborhood His fig trees were also a source of great of joy. He had a soft spot for all the dogs in his life and enjoyed bowling as a pastime. Most importantly, he was a wonderful husband, father; grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was full of happiness and life and could put a smile on anyone's face. His family was his pride and joy, and he was always there with a bright smile or a well-timed sarcastic comment. He was someone you could always count on. He was a source of great strength for his daughters and helped them weather the toughest of storms. Robert touched many lives; he will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his family. He is survived his daughters, Diane Silvestro and Donna DiDonato, son in laws Joseph Silvestro, and Gregory Kliot who predeceased him and the apple of his eye - his grandson Joseph Silvestro A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:15 AM on Wednesday at St. Clare Church located at 110 Nelson Ave Staten Island, New York 10308. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island, NY. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. For those of you who cannot attend Zoom services will be available beginning at 12:50 pm on Tuesday with the link posted on Robert's obituary page on the funeral homes website. If you should so desire donations in Memory of Robert may be made to the American Liver Foundation online at https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/donate-now/ or forms will be available at the funeral home. Please be mindful due to the current State mandate that a mask must be worn at all times in the funeral home and social distancing requirements must be followed during the services. Due to the current Pandemic a strict 30 person in room policy is in effect, as well as a maximum of 25 people permitted in Church. Please adhere to this policy and allow others to pay their respects as well. Due to the current pandemic circumstances please note: We do not accept deliveries from outside vendors for bakery products, fruit baskets, and floral arrangements until further notice. Floral arrangements can be purchased from our in house floral designers who work under the most stringent sanitary conditions which include temperature checks, mask wearing, distancing and protective clothing. We must protect the families we serve, our own families and staff who operate the funeral home.