Robert C. Dabinett

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Bob Dabinett who peacefully departed from this world on June 10, 2024, at home with his loving family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on February 20, 1943, at Lakehurst Naval Air Base, Lakehurst New Jersey to Herbert and Thyra Dabinett. He grew up in Stuart, Jensen Beach Florida and Hasbrouck Heights N.J. He was a Proud Veteran, serving in the US Navy onboard USS Yellowstone. (1960-1964) Following in his father's footsteps, he became a union pipefitter with local 274. (1964-2005)
On Aug. 10, 1968, Dad married the love of his life, Linda (Foglio) and they started their family together. In 1973, they moved from Teaneck N.J. to a small town called Franklin. It's here where they would raise their 3 children and call home for the next 51 years.
Always looking to better his community, and the profound love he had for his new small town led him into many years of serving the residents of Franklin Borough. An elected Councilman (1977-1985) and (2015-2017) He also served as Chairman for the Board of Public Utilities Committee and Chairman of the Recreation Committee, A member of the Planning Board, Finance, and Police and Fire Committee. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and presently, he was Commissioner for the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority. (SCMUA)
Dad had an entrepreneur spirit and handled hard work well. He previously owned and operated Aqua Care of North Jersey and Aquatic Services. Being highly active his entire life, he retired from the local in 2005 and had a hard time sitting still. As a NJ licensed home improvement contractor, foreman and owner of Dabinett Development, he pursued his passion and bought, fixed up and sold homes in his town. Meeting new faces along the way, neighbors quickly became friends, something that came easy to him. With a heart as big as his, he'd give you the shirt off his back and was always available to lend a tool or a helping hand. For the last several years, he was a parking enforcer for the borough of Sussex, and nothing kept him from doing his job and doing it well. He continued to work throughout his treatment of chemotherapy and radiation, up until March of 2024 at which time his mind said to keep going but his body said to rest.
Throughout the years, Mom & Dad loved to travel. Along with their great friends, they were always off on a new adventure. But of all the places they traveled to one became his favorite. He loved it so much that in 2001 they purchased a piece of paradise, where great family memories with their friends, children and grandchildren would be made over the next 22+ years. The culture, the people, the sun and beaches of Cancun, Mexico stole a piece of his heart. The memories that we made here as a family will live on within each of us, forever.
Over the years, Dad enjoyed golfing with his son in laws, cruising around in his old Mercury but most of all spending time with his family was his favorite thing to do. He loved his grandchildren unconditionally and spent almost every weekend watching his granddaughters at a dance competition or softball game, or on the football and baseball fields rooting for his grandson. In between competitions and games, his house was the place to be, where he enjoyed all of us being together. Dad loved swimming with the kids in his pool, teaching them to ride bikes in his driveway, playing ball with them in his yard or just going for an old car ride. It was always fun for all, and the day never ended without a famous tractor ride.
Dad also had an artistic eye and loved to paint. He took pride in his beautiful flowers and lawn care. He was a handyman and could fix just about anything, but his favorite hobby was bird watching. He could sit for hours in the morning with a cup of coffee just watching and listening to nature. In his younger years, he loved to fish with his son Bobby. Known as Catfish and Catfood, the two of them enjoyed many fishing trips. After 21 years, they are now reunited and once again fishing together.
Friendly, smart, strong, supportive, and funny are just a few of his great qualities. There wasn't a joke he couldn't remember, and he was great at telling them. Although these words cannot sum up the beautiful life of our amazing Dad, I hope it gives you a glimpse of the person he was. He was a guy true to his word and stood up for what he believed in. Throughout his life, he fought for what he wanted but most recently he fought the toughest fight of his life and did it with courage, dignity and resilience. He was loved by us all and will be terribly missed. He was a loving and wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend but his most cherished title was Poppy. May the memories we have with him inspire each of us to live life to its fullest and may we all carry on his legacy of love and kindness.
He was preceded in death and now reunited with his father and mother, Herbert (1989) and Thyra (1993) Dabinett, his sister Lois Schutz (2018) and his son Bobby Dabinett (2003)
He is survived by his loving family; wife Linda, daughters Lisa McQuade and her husband Jim, Laura Lonergan, his former son in law Dennis Lonergan, his grandchildren, Megan & Kate McQuade, Quinn, Erinn and Maddie Lonergan. His sister, Timmie Morse Dabinett, his brother in law Robert Foglio and his wife Cheryl, his nieces and many great friends.
A visitation for Bob will be held on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, One Main Street, Franklin, NJ 07416. The funeral service will be on Friday, June 14th, 11am at the funeral home. Burial in the North Hardyston Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice (99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (breakthrought1d.org).