Robert A. Symanski

Robert Alexander Symanski, age 79, of Barnegat, NJ passed away Monday morning, February 24, 2025.  “Bob”, and sometimes “Bobby”, to all who knew him, was born July 2, 1945 in Bayonne, NJ, and was the beloved son of, and predeceased by, Henry L. and Jean J. (Dobkowski) Symanski.

Bob was a graduate of Bayonne High School and, thereafter, served with the Army National Guard.  As a young man, he co-owned a tavern in Bayonne (Partners Four) and worked for Western Electric/AT&T.  He retired from AT&T after 26 years with the company. 

He raised his family in Bayonne and Cranford, NJ. He was very proud of his children.  He attended baseball games and softball games and never missed an opportunity to share with others what a talented wood craftsman his son had become.

Bob relocated to Barnegat in 1997.  He loved his home: “It’s like living on vacation!” he would say.  He spent many a sunny summer, blue-sky day out on Barnegat Bay in his beloved motorboat; always with music, sandwiches, and some of his favorite people.  He was fortunate to have found his post-retirement dream job as a dockmaster at the Barnegat Municipal Dock.  He loved the work and never missed a day.

Bob was a man of many talents.  He could sit at a piano and play tunes by ear.  One of his favorite pieces was Clair de Lune.  He was resourceful, too. There wasn’t a single thing he couldn’t fix. He was patient when it came to that sort of thing.  There was always a way.

He was also a friendly guy and never met a person he didn’t like or couldn’t have a conversation with. A teller of jokes, a whistler of songs, he was a dog lover and was always ready to greet a furry friend with a dog cookie in hand.

Bob is survived by one son, Robert A. Symanski (Michele); two daughters, Kristen C. Symanski (John King) and Laura J. Symanski (Mike Goodman); a cherished grandson, Dalton T. Menth; devoted former wife, Debra A. Symanski; loving sister, Barbara J. Symanski; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved and thought of often. 

He was predeceased by two brothers, Henry R. “Buddy” Symanski and Kenneth J. Symanski.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with a Blessing to follow at 12:00 PM at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 West Bay Ave., Barnegat, NJ 08005. (www.BarnegatFH.com)

The family requests for those who wish to express sympathy, to please consider making a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in Bob’s name. (see link below)

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