Robert John "Bob" WITTICH

WITTICH, Robert John "Bob"

On the evening of July 10, 2013, Bob passed away peacefully after a recent battle with cancer, visited and comforted by his wife and family members at Calvary Hospital in Bronx, NY. Bob was 68 years old. Bob resided with his wife and son in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Bob Wittich was born in Staten Island, NY on December 16, 1944. He was the oldest of ten children of Therese Rita and Wesley E. Wittich, Jr. Bob grew up near the Brooklyn Navy Yard where his father was often stationed during his career in the Navy. Bob attended St. James Pro-Cathedral Grammar School and served as an altar boy and was a Brooklyn chorister. He also was an active Boy Scout and Sea Cadet and his camping skills came in handy in future college years when he spent summers working in Mexico to alleviate poverty: making bricks; building homes; digging latrines and other good works. Bob attended high school at Brooklyn Prep and was heavily influenced by the Jesuits. He was a skilled debater and orator, studied Greek, Latin and Spanish, excelled at Math, History and English and graduated with honors. He attended Le Moyne College using scholarships, loans and the income from several jobs to finance his education. It was here that he met Rita, his wife of 46 years. He roomed at the International House, a program for students preparing for a Peace Corps like project in Mexico, where he became fluent in Spanish. Bob graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science, was student body president and Valedictorian at his graduation in 1966. It was a proud moment for his family. Bob received his law degree from St. John's Law School in 1971. He served in the Army, worked on Wall Street and went on to have a multi-faceted career as a lawyer, politician, business owner and investor. He ran unsuccessfully for New York City Council in 1973, and became known for his expertise as a campaign manager and an election lawyer. He married Rita Convy Wittich in 1967 in Floral Park, NY. In 1973, their wonderful son, Robert J. Wittich, Jr., was born. Bob loved to travel and spent his retirement years visiting numerous countries around the world with his wife and son, with a particular fondness for Australia. He loved to swim, play tennis and golf, eat, drink and be merry. He was kind, generous, humorous, a doting husband, a loving father, a caring brother and uncle, and a great friend. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Therese and Wesley Wittich and his in-laws, Rita and Frank Convy. Bob is survived by his wife, Rita Anne Convy Wittich; his son, Robert John Wittich, Jr.; his daughter, Jeanette Colling; his brothers, Wesley, James, Michael, Richard; his sisters, Therese Schoborg, Karen Horan, Helene DeCamp, Patricia Stone, Elizabeth Butler; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws. Yes, it is a big family and Bob was the quintessential big brother and favorite uncle - leading the way and setting the standard for achievement as well as fun. Bob wished that there be no funeral or other ceremony. The family is planning a gathering of friends and family in New York in the near future and will announce the time and place on http://robert-j-wittich.forevermissed.com, where visitors may also leave condolences and share memories.

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