Robert James Rigoni Sr.

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Robert James Rigoni Sr., 80, of Ironwood, died on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Robert was born on May 22, 1944, in Ironwood, a son of James and Helen (Jussila) Rigoni. He was raised in the Newport Location as his father worked at the Newport Mine. Robert was a graduate of St. Ambrose High School class of 1962. Soon after graduating high school, he attended baking school at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and graduated in 1964.
Robert worked for a year with Clayton Randall as a baker before joining the U.S. Navy on Dec. 30, 1965. He was stationed in Danang, Vietnam, June 21, 1967. He completed his tour of duty in Vietnam, and one year later was discharged on Dec. 29, 1968, and came back home.
Robert joined the Ironwood Fire Department as a firefighter while also working as a baker for Clayton Randall at Randall's Bakery. He worked as a firefighter and baker until September 1972 when he bought the bakery from Clayton Randall.
Robert owned and operated his bakery, Rigoni's Bakery, for nearly 53 years before he passed. He worked right to the end of his life. Robert loved his bakery and never complained about having to go to work. He made many friends and built many relationships over the years. He touched many lives with his bakery, his kindness, his smile and his stories.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Janice (Korhonen, Cox) Rigoni; and brother, James "Jimmy" Rigoni.
He is survived by his sister, Debbie (Maki) Rigoni; wife, Paula (Nelson) Rigoni; son, Robert Rigoni Jr.; daughter, Angela (Martinson) Rigoni; daughter-in-law, Anita (Gheller) Rigoni; son-in-law, Dan Martinson; and three grandchildren, Emily Martinson, Sophia Rigoni and Leonardo Rigoni. He had a lot of support from his family and his family through marriage, Donna and Glenn Korpi, Linda and Dennis Dufrane, Lenore and Keith Jackson, Karen and Dennis Johnson, Mark and Dorothy Nelson and Glen "Poco" and Diane Nelson. He also received a lot of love and support from his many nieces and nephews, Carol, Norman, Gail, Aaron, Lisa, Philip, Katie, Dayle, Keegan, Marcus, Forrest, Tina, Jeff, Gina, Karen, Shari, Aubre and Aleah.
A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 11 a.m., with full military rites commencing at noon and a prayer to follow at the American Legion Post 5 in the Ironwood Memorial Building. The family will serve pasties and beverages for those who can attend. They ask that all who knew Robert stop by and share their stories with them and celebrate his beautiful life.
"My father was a lesson. He had his own bakery, and it was closed one day a week, but he would go anyway. He did it because he really loved his bakery. It wasn't a job." Christopher Walken.
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.