Rob "Iggy" MacMillan

Rob "Iggy" MacMillan was born in Newark, NJ on August 6, 1960. He is survived by his wife, Joanne (Mariano), his son Rex and wife Caitlin, daughter Kate and his mother Rosanne (Viscido) MacMillan. He is predeceased by his father, Robert MacMillian. He attended West Essex High School Class of 1978 and was a 1983 graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey. He has been a resident of Rutherford since 1989.
Rob is also survived by his loving family, sister Karen and her husband Jim Charpentier of Clearwater Beach, Florida and his sister Stacey and her husband Michael Brown of Cedar Grove, NJ. He will be deeply missed by his in-laws, Daniel and Charlene Mariano of Rutherford, Janet (Mariano) and Joe Merli of Rutherford, Dave and Pauline Mariano of Pottstown PA, Richard Mariano, Vincent & Catherine Mariano of Rutherford, and Joy Mariano & her partner Bill Fitzpatrick of Rutherford, NJ. He leaves behind many loving and devoted nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sharing Network Foundation at www.sharingnetworkfoundation.org
Eulogy for Rob "Iggy" MacMillan
On behalf of Joanne, Rex, Caitlin and Kate, his mom Rose, sisters Karen and Stacey and all the brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews, they wish to express their sincere thanks to all the love and support this past week. They also want to thank the doctors and staff at Valley Hospital for their kindness throughout his journey there. They are truly a remarkable institution, only wanting the best for their patients.
Rob, (or "Iggy" as his high school and college friends know him as,) does NOT LIKE TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION! He would hate that you are all here on his behalf. But his family feels the love that you are extending, and it is bringing them peace. And life is for the living, so I think he would forgive us.
Rob took pride in not drinking, not smoking, no drugs, no gambling. So, he is a perfect husband, but maybe a little boring, lol. He always considered himself an athlete, so he was straight as an arrow for all his life. He preferred running seven miles to his friend Scott's house on a Friday night instead of going out drinking with his buddies.
Rob was loyal to his wife and children, denying himself the simplest of pleasures to provide for his family. He ate at Jersey Mikes every day and when he had enough points, he was proud he could get a free sandwich!
Little do some people know, he was a stellar athlete in high school and college. He played basketball and baseball. He would cut out all his stats from the newspaper every week and they are still in the scrapbook we have. s He gave Joanne a laminator for Christmas one year so she could do the same for their kids and she dutifully obliged. Don't look for his name Rob, he was only known as "Iggy" to his friends and newspapers. Most didn't even know his real name. Even though he was 5'8" tall I was told he could DUNK the basketball by many of his teammates. His friend Jim Hardenberg said "Iggy" was Superman to him. Such a "freakish and gifted athlete." Rob was captain in his senior year of the 1978 West Essex Basketball team. He was an all-county HS baseball player and a standout 2nd baseman. He played for American Legion Baseball, Caldwell Post #185 for legendary coach Jack Venezia.
The only person who outshined him on the field was his best friend, Scott Bradley, who went on to play for the NY Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Rob went to spring training for the Yankees to meet up with Scott in Florida for one year. He met his teammate, Rex Hudler, and he thought he had the coolest name. He vowed to name a son the same......and he did. Joanne did not have a choice.
Iggy went to Ramapo College, probably just so he could continue to baseball play first. Academics were second if not third to baseball. He was captain of the 1983 Ramamo College Baseball team with his good friend Tom Formosa. The team went to the NCAA tournament all 4 years he played there. The year after he graduated, the team won the NCAA National Title. He was so proud of his teammates, but also a tad jealous not to be a part of their success. He took pride in being able to still fit in his college uniform, while Tom couldn't, which he never let Tom forget.
His next passion was NASCAR racing following driver Harry Gant. Many a weekend he spent with friend Tom Leider going to races in his RV.
Then came his love for the North Carolina Tar Heels because that is where Scott Bradley played in college, and he followed the baseball and basketball team.
I guess by now his first love is family but then sports took up the rest!
Next is the NY Yankees. He would tell Joanne how he attended the 1977 World Series game when Reggie Jackson became Mr. October by hitting 3 home runs to win the game. He has a souvenir chair from the stadium... Shhh. (Don't tell anyone, wink wink)
Rob is a season ticket holder for the NY GIANTS where he would tailgate every week, in any weather, that's until he had a 65-inch TV so it was easier to stay warm at home. Rob hosted 2 Super Bowl parties, just because the GIANTS were in the game and beat the New England Patriots twice! And he always made pigs in a blanket for everyone to enjoy.
Rob was an avid golfer. He scored 2 Hole-in-Ones in his career. Once with Jim Hardenberg on the 18th hole at High Point Golf Club in 1995 and the second one on hole #17 at Bey Lea Golf Club in Toms River in 1997. The last four years he worked at Haworth Country Club as a golf ranger every weekend, so he was working 7 days a week! But the golf job was not work, it was fun. He was the ball whisperer.... he could find everyone's ball in the rough. Don't look in the basement, there are a few thousand golf balls there. Joanne would welcome anyone to come over and grab some!
Rob would often joke about if he only didn't go to the dentist, he would have never married his dental hygienist. One day he had a toothache and he reluctantly agreed to visit his friend, Rich Knott's dental hygienist. That's where he met Joanne. It wasn't love at first sight or first "bite" but since he needed multiple appointments, he finally asked her to join him on his boat on Lake Hopatcong. Joanne thought he wasn't interested in her, just extending an invitation with mutual friends to the go boating for the day. When they got to the boat, and it was only another couple, that's when Joanne said "Oh........., I guess this is a date." They had their first kiss at sundown on the dock and they were married 14 months later and started their journey of life together. Side note, He gave his wife beautiful gifts throughout their life together, but being the practical, simple man he was, he gave her a SAFE one Christmas to store all their papers and documents without having to go to her Dad's house for them. If she could have picked that thing up, I think she would have thrown it at him! But once again, a practical and simple man!
And Rob would only drive Toyota Tacoma trucks. We think he had almost every color they made.
Now for the most important part of his life. He and Joanne watched Rex and Kate grow and become student athletes as well. Except his kids had better grades which he attributed to Joanne's brain and not his. Rob never missed any games but would sit by himself and not say a word to study every move they made and then came the game analysis with them. With his and Joanne's encouragement, they became the adults they are today. They are loyal friends, hard workers, and are excelling in their lives. He will be sorely missed by them.
Rob was a man who carried and supported his family his whole life. The last hours of his life his family, Joanne, Rex, Caitlin and Kate supported him by his bedside to say goodbye to the man they loved. It came full circle when Rex was with him when he passed, when his father needed him the most.
Rob became an organ donor. They took his kidneys and liver so hopefully another human has the gift of life from him.
FAIRWELL MY FRIENDS
It was a beautiful as long as it lasted
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
Save the pain I'll leave behind
Those dear hearts who love and care....
And the string pulling at the heart and soul...
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life
I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell, my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
For that's what I'll like
When you live in the hearts of those you love,
remember then, you never die.
Rabindranath Tague
Family will receive friends Friday May 24th for Memorial Visiting from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford.