Robert James Hawkins

Robert James Hawkins, also known as Bobby, was born on January 8, 1957, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late James Irvin Dante (Major) and Arlene Roberta Hawkins. He departed this world surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 6:02 pm where he was a resident at Woodhaven Care Center. Bobby fought to the very end against his battle with cancer. Bobby, along with his parents, sister Donna and brothers William (Billy) and James (Jimmy) grew up in the City of Pittsburgh. Much of his childhood was spent in Homewood on Kedron Street. He lived there until graduation at which time he moved to Garfield Heights, 5100 Block on Columbo Street. Bobby received his education through the Pittsburgh Public School system. He attended and graduated from Westinghouse High School in 1974. In furthering his education, Bobby attended a graphic design school where he learned to print, copy, collate and burn plates to create paperback books for distribution. One of his first jobs was with Minute Man Press. He went on to co-own a cleaning franchise with Les Mason called Jani-King where he employed many family members and friends. He also started All Star Cleaning Company where he, once again, employed many family members and friends. He, along with his younger brother Jimmy, started a pallet shop, One Stop Wood Shop, where they employed family and friends. He ALWAYS made sure his family was taken care of. In 2009, he, along with his business partner William Don Giovanni opened a highly successful home health care agency, An Answered Prayer (his greatest professional achievement). Through An Answered Prayer, many elderly people were assisted, family and friends were employed, and lives were changed and transformed. Bobbys greatest personal achievement was when he became the proud father of his only child Simone Alexandria. Bobby and Simone shared a special father/daughter bond. She will always be his pride and joy. During his life, Bobby loved to play basketball at the Westinghouse gym, go horseback riding, attend concerts, go fishing, shoot pool, work on cars (forced to work on cars by his dad Major) and collect/build classic cars. He was very passionate about "work". Some might say that he was a workaholic, always striving to be the entrepreneur that he became. Bobby was always the life of the party. So many family members and lifelong friends share many happy, fond memories about Bobby Hawk. Anywhere Bobby went, his presence was felt. He had a larger-than-life personality. If you have a story about Bobby, he did or said something crazy. Fun and crazy times were had when Bobby was around. He was just that kind of person and that is what we will miss most about him. Bobby was preceded in death by his father the late James Ervin Dante Hawkins (Major) and his mother the late Arlene Roberta Wilson Hawkins (Leene). He leaves behind his other half, Elmira. Bobby leaves to cherish his memories his only daughter Simone (Darrale) Dunn, Duquesne, PA; two grandchildren Parris and Rhylee; two brothers William (Gale) Lovett, Homewood, PA and James (Janay) Hawkins, Whitaker, PA and one sister Donna (James) Perkins, North Versailles, PA; a cousin who was more like a brother, Kevin (Pam) Mason and 13 nieces and nephews, a host of relatives and friends.
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