Robert Lee Stefanelli Sr.

Robert "Bob" Lee Stefanelli Sr, 91, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 8, surrounded by many beloved family members. Bob was born to Henry and Antoinette (Caruso) Stefanelli on May 2, 1933, in Wishaw, Pennsylvania. The family later moved to Starke, Florida, where Bob graduated from Bradford High School in 1950. After serving in the Navy for four years, primarily on the USS Saipan, an aircraft carrier, he took advantage of the GI Bill to earn his bachelor's degree (with honors) in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He worked in electronics for many years with Sperry Rand. When the company closed its Gainesville location, Bob began a new career in insurance, eventually opening his own agency. He was a certified life underwriter (CLU) and sold life insurance for John Hancock. He was an active member of the Exchange Club and with Holy Faith Catholic Church. In his free time, he traveled as often as possible, loved spending holidays with his family and friends, and also enjoyed fishing. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Betty, his two sons, Robert "Bobby" and Randal "Randy," and his brother Al Stefanelli. Bob is survived by his daughter Linda Stefanelli (Bill Juniper) of Gainesville, Florida, and daughter Mari Ann Stefanelli Perusek (Tim) of White Plains, Georgia, along with his grandchildren: Sharra Luke Johnson (Brent), Carsen Stefanelli (Morgan), Simon Blake Stefanelli, Chase Stefanelli (Savannah), Katie Crews (David), Karis Perusek, Cole Perusek, and Joseph Massey, and his great-grandchildren: Isa, Sam, Carter, and Gavin (Sharra); Sawyer and Saylor (Carsen); Asher, Anna Kay, and Addie Alyse (Chase); Tripp, Grady Lee, and Casen (Katie). Bob is also survived by his brother Raymond of Milford, Ohio, and sister Elisa Biggs (Jim) of Maysville, Kentucky. Visitation will be held at Forest Meadows, 725 NW 23rd Ave, on Friday, December 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Holy Faith Catholic Church on Saturday, December 14, at 1 p.m., with Father Edward Murphy officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Meadows, 4100 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, are appreciated.

Robert Lee Stefanelli Sr.

May 2, 1933 - December 8, 2024