Robert DeAquino

Robert N. DeAquino, known affectionately to all as Bob, exited the stage of life with the same charisma and warmth he carried throughout his 75 years, on January 23, 2025. With a life that began on September 10, 1949, in Newark, NJ, Bob's journey was one filled with laughter, love, and the kind of passion that would light up even the dimmest room.

Bob's story is one of a man who never missed an opportunity to bring joy to those around him. As Will Rogers once quipped, "I never met a man I didn't like," and this could have been Bob's own motto. He had an uncanny ability to make friends wherever he went, and his infectious laughter was a natural icebreaker.

In his professional life, Bob was a dedicated employee at DuPont, where he was known for his sharp wit and the ease with which he navigated complex business waters. But it was in his role as the unofficial 'mayor' of event planning where Bob truly shined. He planned events for numerous venues, always with a touch of humor and a flair for the unexpected.

Bob's heart, however, belonged to his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Rae Ann, and a loving father to his daughter, Arianna. His relationship with his late brother Anthony, his sister Joyce, sister-in-law Jo Ann, and his nieces and nephews - Tony, Nicole, Robbie, Danielle, Emily, and Michael - was punctuated with pranks, laughter, and deep affection. For Bob, family gatherings were not just a tradition but a canvas for creating memories and ensuring that everyone felt loved.

It was this same spirit of love that he carried into the world. Bob was the kind of man who lived as though he was perpetually on stage, delivering punchlines that could rival the greats. He was funny without ever being unkind, passionate without being overwhelming, and loving in a way that was as natural to him as breathing.

As we say our final goodbyes to Bob, we can almost hear his voice, echoing the humorous wisdom of another beloved funnyman, George Burns: "Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." And while Bob's family was always close to his heart, the sentiment captures his unique ability to find the humor in life's truths.

Robert N. DeAquino's curtain call may have come, but the legacy of laughter and love he leaves behind will continue to echo in the hearts of those who knew him. He was a one-man show that brought more smiles to our faces than we could ever count. So, while the lights may have dimmed on this extraordinary man's life, the stories of Bob will forever keep the spotlight shining brightly. In keeping with his ever-present humor, let's not say goodbye. Instead, let's just say, Bob has left the building, but the laughter lingers on.

Friends & family will be recieved Monday, January 27, 4-8 PM. Funeral service tuesday 10AM from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst. Funeral mass 11AM Queen of Peace R.C. Church. Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following charities:

Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037

Make-A-Wish Foundation. 1702 East Highland Ave., Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85016

Feeding America, P.O. Box 96749 Washington, DC 20090-6749