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Robert William Sferra

Robert Sferra Obituary

In Loving Memory Robert William Sferra May 22, 1925 - April 4, 1981 Bob Sferra loved his wife, family, being a grandpa, friends, work, church, activities at Gerard High School, Las Vegas, Italy, his camaro, Italian Food, telling jokes, having fun, and taking naps. If you knew Bob, please take a moment today to remember him.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Apr. 4, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Sferra

Sponsored by The Bob Sferra Fan Club.

26 Entries

ANDREA NUNNALLY

May 7, 2007

THE LASTING IMAGE OF YOUR FOREVER SMILE IS STILL WITH ME~~
LOVE, ANDEE :)

Tina Sferra

April 4, 2006

It was 25 years ago today that my dad passed away. It is hard to imagine that he has been gone for half of my life. Thanks dad, for being such a wonderful father and friend! Love you always, Tina

silvana facchini

March 30, 2006

Hallo Bob, it took me a while but here I am, writing to you as if you were still oversea and wanted to be kept up to date by your italian daughter. We are doing good here in Italy: two of my three sons are men already, Andreas is still fighting with school, parents and pimples and I am very proud of them, which is a good accomplishment nowadays. Gigi is a well appraised surgeon, works a lot during the week, becomes a farmer on week-ends, taking care of the vineyard. You would like the wine and the grappa he makes! My mother and father celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary last September! Tino (86) is coming and going to Milan every day by train to check on his son's (and now also his grandson's) medical office. Antonietta (84) still cooks for all of us very often since we love her food, just like you used to (remember how many pills you swallowed down when you were staying with us so that you could eat my mother's meals?). And me, well, my hair is almost white but I just feel the same as forty years ago, when you and your family first met me at midnight at Phoenix train station. I thought I was jumping into hell on that hot August night! And then a nice, unbelievable adventure started, in which you had a main, significant part: we got along so well that our families are still close, our sons are, our grandsons-to-be will (will Pris and I ever be grandmothers, we both wonder!!). Well, you did build something special then, something you can be proud of, and I am not talking about your constructions! I loved and love you, I missed you then and miss you still, my american father. Ciao, Silvana

rosie wilson

May 22, 2005

I just wanted to say ..today would have been my Dads 80th birthday! Dad loved his birthday,and made sure everyone knew about it! Sometimes He celebrated all week long! I know we are all thinkin of you today! love you! miss you ,Happy birthday!!

Bobbie Sferra

April 30, 2005

I can't believe it has been 24 years since my dad died! As daughter number two, of his four daughters, what I learned the most from my father is a strong work ethic. He had very high expectations for all of his girls, and helped us get our first jobs when we turned 16. He always took pride in his achievements as a civil engineer and as a building contractor. He passed this positive attitude toward work and the importance of giving back to the community to all of us. I feel blessed that I had him as a father and as a role model.

Marianne Martinez (Wainio)

April 28, 2005

There was nothing Uncle Bob wouldn't do for family and I learned that first hand. When I was a troubled teenager Uncle Bob saved me from myself. He and Aunt Anne took me into their home, even though they already had one border ( hi Denny). And with his influence I was able to enroll at Gerard to finish my high school education. I learned responsibility, but I also learned it was okay to have fun. Uncle Bob had a huge impact on my life and I will never forget what he did for me!

Denis Stizza

April 24, 2005

How does the boat thank the rudder for giving it direction? How do I thank Uncle Bob for guiding me on my journey from boyhood to manhood and setting the course I would follow the rest of my life? My dad taught me how to live a proper life, Uncle Bob taught me how to have fun with it. You can't tell someone how to open their home, their family and their love to a total stranger, but you can show them how it is done. Uncle Bob, thanks for all the time and effort you gave to me. And thanks for never telling anyone about that bar issue!

Walter Kubis

April 20, 2005

Hi Anne and family:

I just want to tell all of you how great it was to have known and worked with Bob at Gerard High. We had many a stimulating conversations as well as great jokes, making for some very memorable meetings.

I alway looked forward to the next meeting and chatting with Bob.

It just blows my mind to think that 24 years has past. We all miss him.

Walt Kubis

mariapia demartini

April 20, 2005

Dear Anne, Pris, Bobbie, Tina and Rosie,

I met Bob in LA airport more than 30 years ago and I immediately felt at my ease and for all of you I became another Italian daughter.

I never knew a person as friendly and nice as he was.

Let me remember his smile and his shining eyes. He will always live in my mind.

Suzie Williams

April 17, 2005

Tina and I have been friends since childhood. I spent a lot of time at the Sferra home and I will always remember how nice Bob was and his great sense of humor. He would always joke that he just ran past my dad on the track and was planning on running the next marathon with him. There are many other happy memories of Bob and the Sferra family from my childhood - I am forever grateful.

Joan Carter Guidry

April 12, 2005

Being best friends with Tina in high school, I spent the night over at the Sferra home quite often. Bob was always friendly and had a great sense of humor. He constantly kidded me about my baby blue eye shadow and blue mascara I used to wear Freshman year. (I thought I looked hot, haha!)

Elaine Ajamie

April 11, 2005

When Bob and Ann moved to Phoenix I was a very young girl. I remember their first apartment, I believe it was on 7th Street, and then their beautiful home by Phoenix College. We lived on the South side, one block away from Aunt Helen and Uncle George, and what a trip it was for us to go “all the way up” to Bob & Annes. I baby-sat for Pris and Bobbie. Can’t remember if Tina was born yet.

What great parties we had at the Coolidge home. Bob always made the children get up on the picnic table and perform, no mater how scared they were. Guess that’s why they can all use a mike now. Thank you Bob.

Bob got us started going to Gerard functions before we had children there. Las Vegas nights and Auctions. What fun we had. He always supported our children when they had the Crock Cheese sales at Gerard. I have never seen anyone buy so much cheese. He would buy by the case!

Everyone was special to Bob, and he was very special to us.

Elaine Ajamie - Ed too

Emmet Ronan

April 9, 2005

Bob was my father-in-law. He also became the father figure in my life after my dad passed away in 1969. Initially, I think our relationship developed out of his desperation for male companionship after being trapped in that house with 5 women all those years! He was so much fun to be around and I have so many happy memories: $1 bets on all the college bowl games every year; Gerard 500 club dances with the "Barbwire Boys" country western band; Christmas Eve dinner at Jokake Inn; and Phoenix Roadrunner Hockey games to name just a few. We always drove in the Camaro and took the same route home every night from the old Veterans Coliseum. Right on Encanto, left on 7th Ave, right on Osborn to 32nd, 32nd to Campbell, right on Campbell to 40th and left to Coolidge...it seems like only yesterday. I miss him.

E. Boynton

April 8, 2005

I remember Mr. Sferra as Rosies dad! He was a sweet and funny man. He adored Rosie. Rosie and I used to brag, in fact we still do about how we had the BEST dads in the WHOLE WORLD!!

All my love to the Sferra family,Biz

Rosie Sferra-Wilson

April 7, 2005

My Dad-Bob Sferra!

I just want to say I had the best dad in the whole world! He gave me everything I always needed and more! He was not just my friend, but a friend to my friends too! He taught me many things- to love God,appreciate being healthy , to have a sense of humor and to enjoy life! My one regret is that He never got to meet my children! They would have had so much fun together! Dad, i miss you so much but I want you to know you will always be in my heart and live on through the kids!!! Love U Forever! Your # 4 daughter Rosie

and Teresa, Kenny,Charlie and Jeff too!

p.s..I didn't lie about that bullet hole in my car, I still don't know how it got there!!!!!!!!!

Lindsey Youngblood

April 7, 2005

We were next door neighbors to the Sferras in Phoenix,and enjoyed Bob, Anne.and the girls. Bob was a fine engineer, and I worked with him on projects for National Metals where I was VP, operations. He was a great guy, and the day of his leaving was a sad one for all.Lindsey and Mozelle Youngblood

JoAnn Owens

April 6, 2005

How unfair of Bob to leave all of us! Fearful of being alone at night all the Sferra girls took turns staying overnight with me when my husband was out of town and I remember Bob telling me that when the girls were grown and gone he would do the baby sitting and would only charge me 50 cents. Pris likes to tease me about their baby-sitting days. Bob was a lot of fun and we all loved him.

George Gridley

April 6, 2005

Bob's initial meeting with me was marked by comments about "another long haired creep after one of my daughters"....put me off a little, but ..when he realized I was serious about Tina he warmed up to me. I saw over time what a fun person he could be, and what a strong relationship he had with his family. I volunteered to help him fix up the pinball maching in approximately 1978/79..which eventually became somewhat of a monument to him, untouched in the back room of the house for months, if not years, with the score still up for the last game he played on the machine. Various family members have kept that machine alive, and it continues to stand as a regular reminder of Bob, and how he touched us all. I think he'd be happy to know the pinball machine has been kept in the family...at the request of Tina and our daughter Kristen . He continues to touch his grandchildren in a positive way ...even those he never got a chance to meet

Pris Ronan

April 5, 2005

Well, Dad, it is hard to believe you have not been physically present in our lives for 24 years. We have such great memories and your four grandsons have such a wonderful blend of your positive attributes. What I miss most is that you could not be here to enjoy the fun times of Emmet and myself in the raising of four outstanding boys (oops, men). P.S. We have your camaro ready to be restored in the future.

Dawn Owens

April 5, 2005

I remember growing up down the street from the Sferra's and spending a lot of time at their house playing pinball with Mr. Sferra. He nicknamed me DawnieDum Dum after I ran at full speed into a rope he had stretched across his yard and was catapulted into another neighbors yard. When I regained conciousness, Bob was kneeling over me, and obviously relieved called me by my new nick name. He was funny, loving and great to be around. He is missed. Dawnie Dum Dum

Rosie Sferra

April 5, 2005

What a great brother we had in Bob. He made you laugh he was good to everyone, kids, old ladies, dogs. He made everyone feel special. He loved being an engineer and his red carpet office. Of course, he was truly proud of his wife, girls, his Italian daughter and especially Robby. It is hard to put everyting in one paragraph. We miss you Bob, especially your visits to Ohio. Say hello to Pope John Paul for us.

Mary Gajdos

April 4, 2005

I knew Robert for a very short time,but one didn't have to know him for long to see what a great man he was. Loving husband,father and a good friend,He is missed very much.

Bob Nelson

April 4, 2005

Time sure flies – I am now older than my Uncle Bob Sferra was when he passed away in 1981. When I remember Uncle Bob I can’t help but smile. I recall him being full of fun and smiling constantly, always friendly and outgoing. Whenever my mother, Marge, would visit with Bob either in Arizona or “back home” in Youngstown, she would tell me how much she enjoyed seeing him and how welcome he made her feel and how generous and hospitable he was to her. He was one of those warm people whose humor and positive outlook on life was infectious. Somehow, you just felt better being around Bob Sferra. Best wishes to Aunt Anne and my cousins, Pris, Bobbie, Tina and Rosie on this important day.

Tina Sferra

April 4, 2005

My dad was my hero. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and everyone that met him loved his fun loving personality. He was always happy and he knew how to have a good time. He was a wonderful dad...there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him.

ANDEE STARKAND-NUNNALLY

April 4, 2005

A MEMORY THAT COMES QUICKLY TO MIND WHEN I RECALL "MR. SFERRA" IS THE JOY ON HIS FACE WHEN HE TALKED WITH PRIDE ABOUT HAVING ARRANGED A SPECIAL SETTING AT A RESORT FOR THE WEDDING RECEPTION FOR PRIS AND EMMETT. A TRUE DAD!! I STILL CAN SEE HIS JOY~~:)

FRANK ONEILL

April 4, 2005

24 YEARS! IT DOESN'T SEEM POSSIBLE.

I REMEMBER BOB, BOTH AS A FINE ENGINEER AND AS A GOOD FRIEND. WE HAD MANY FUN TIMES AT VARIOUS GERARD H.S. FUNCTIONS AND JUST SITTING AROUND TALKING ABOUT ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. I STILL MISS HIM.ANNE, YOU AND YOU FAMILY ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

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