Robert Edward Lacerda Sr.

Robert Edward Lacerda Sr. passed on November 25, 2025 on his Mother's birthday at his home in Laurel Fork, Virginia of cancer. He was born in Brockton, Massachusetts to John and Jenny Lacerda with five brothers: John, David, Dennis, Lenny, and Steven. He met and fell in love with Karen Marie McGheehen when he was only 16 at the Fort Lauderdale Bowling Alley. They married when she was 16, and he was 19 years old. They had 3 children: Robert Edward Jr, Tammy Lynn, and Brian Scott. He learned cabinet making (later owning Atlantic Cabinets) from his father who worked as a contractor, and also worked for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department as a paid reserve police officer. He later worked undercover for Jefferson Ward for many years, and contracted cabinetry up until his retirement in Cocoa Beach, Fl. He loved surf fishing, drag racing, Nascar (Dale Earnhardt Sr was his all time favorite race car driver), football (Patriots fan), children, playing the guitar, harmonica, nature and animals. He loved to cook chicken on the grill, burnt popcorn and hot dogs, and always stopped at road sides for boiled peanuts. He loved country music, and his favorite singer was George Jones. He was a staunch republican. He would give the shirt off his back to help a stranger, and helped people whenever he was able to, including his family. To see his inner child light up when he showed his kids fireflies for the first time while on a family vacation was truly magical. He saved the family epileptic dog while dressed up in a suit after she fell in the pool during a seizure. He was always a hero, and of epic proportions that night. He would shop for, and check in on the veteran who lived across the street who was so traumatized by war that he could not communicate with people, and was a shut in. He loved old western shows and movies, and classic comedies. He loved to laugh, and had a great sense of humor. He loved his children, grandchildren (Lindsay and Adam), his daughter in-law Michele, and his great grandchildren (Gabriella, Isabella, Jaxson, and Millie), and his beloved cat, Baby, with his whole heart. He had a very big heart, kept his inner child fully alive all his life, and will be missed beyond words by so very many people.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert Edward Lacerda Sr., please visit our Tree Store. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Robert Edward Lacerda Sr., please visit the Tribute Fund.