Robert K. DeLENA

DeLENA, Robert K. October 19, 1942 - December 30, 2025

Of Revere, 83, on December 30, 2025, following a spirited battle with dementia. Bob was the devoted husband of Joan (Schloss) DeLena who passed away in 2020, and the beloved father of Robert C. DeLena (Mary Beth DeLena) of Sudbury, MA, and Jon C. DeLena (Joanne DeLena) of Bedford, NH. He was also the beloved grandfather of Ryan DeLena, Abigail DeLena, Gabriella DeLena, Riley DeLena and Jagger DeLena. Son of the late Giuseppe DiLena and Theresa (Quintina) DiLena; and devoted brother to the late Frank DiLena, Louis, Jerry, Ronald, Richard and Joseph DeLena, Katherine Penza, Rose Marotta and Gloria MacDonald. Bob was also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Bob was a graduate of Revere High School, Calvin Coolidge College, and received a Master of Arts in Social Work from Boston University. He spent time as a rehabilitation counselor before accepting a position with the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board, where he was eventually named Deputy Director. There, he met Joan, and they married in 1992, and moved to Melrose where they lived happily for almost three decades.

Bob was a loving father and never missed a game Robbie and Jon played, even when he was supposed to be at work. He was passionate about education and was extremely prideful of the career trajectories of both his sons. As he grew older, he channeled his energy into his grandchildren. He loved singing duets with Abigail and hearing about her work in biology, and he was immensely proud of Ryan's adventures chronicled in his book Without Restraint, and the documentary Ninety One.

Bobby D., as he was known to friends and colleagues, was best known for his sense of humor and turned everyday tasks into hilarious tales of the people he encountered. Yet, when things turned serious, he was the go-to person whenever a friend or co-worker sought mentoring or guidance. Since his passing, dozens of people reached out to highlight Bob's impact on their lives.

Before dementia struck, Bob was a passionate golfer and he loved sports and music until the day he died. As a boy, he served as a soloist in the St. Anthony's Church Choir and never forgot a Palm Sunday hymn called The Blossoms, singing it hundreds of times for the residents and staff at The Carriage House, the facility where he spent the final five years of his life.

Bob's infectious humor, kindness, and guidance will live on in the many lives he touched, and his life will be celebrated at Buonfiglio Funeral Home, 128 Revere Street, in REVERE, on Thursday January 8, 2026, from 4pm-7pm. With a brief Service at approximately 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his honor to the charity of your choice, especially those supporting dementia research.