Obituary of Robert Nelson Bigsby
Robert Nelson Bigsby, Sr., age 83, died Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at St. Clare's Hospital, Denville. Mr. Bigsby was born May 4, 1932 in East Orange, NJ the son of the late Robert Sulyard and the late Grace (Nelson) Bigsby. Bob graduated from Nutley High School in 1950 and joined the US Air Force in 1952, serving during the Korean War and was stationed In Denver, CO and Florida before being honorably discharged in 1956.He lived in Clifton before moving to Wayne, where he lived for over forty years until his retirement.
Bob began his career working with his father at The Bigsby Company, repairing and servicing commercial oil burners and boilers. In 1968, he moved to Industrial Combustion Associates and became Vice President retiring in 2002.
Bob enjoyed using his mechanical talents with machinery and home repairs. He always had some "project" that he would work on around the house. There was not much that he couldn't take apart and repair. Bob enjoyed swimming, grilling and vacations down the shore with his family. He loved watching NASCAR racing and going to races with his sons. Bob also enjoyed decorating the outside of his home at Christmas every year, with many lights and decorations.
After his retirement at age 70, he moved to a retirement community in Cape May and three and a half years ago, he moved back to northern NJ to live in an assisted living community with his with Jane.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jane Isabella (Knollhuff); his devoted sons: Robert Bigsby, Jr. and his wife Rebecca (Chastain) and Russell Bigsby and his wife JoAnne (Kelly); his granddaughters, Alyson ( Bigsby) Triolo and Carson Bigsby, his grandsons, Erik Bigsby and Devin Bigsby and great-grandson, Benjamin Triolo.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 6, 2015 from 7-9 PM at Moore's Home for Funerals, 1591 Alps Road, Wayne. At 8 PM a memorial service will be celebrated by Pastor Jane Bishop. In Bobs' memory, the family requests memorial donations to be made to the Cape May Animal Shelter DN501B, 4 Moore Rd. Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.