Robert V. Tessaro

Robert Victor Tessaro, a lifelong resident of Fort Lee, passed away on Thursday after a courageous year-long battle against cancer. He was 38 years old.
Robbie, as he was known by friends and family, graduated from Fort Lee High School in 1994, where he excelled in the classroom and on three varsity sports teams. He attended Tulane University, in his beloved New Orleans, where he met his future wife Stacey on their move-in day freshman year. Robbie graduated from Tulane in 1998 with a degree in Communications. His love for New Orleans lasted a lifetime and Robbie enjoyed his time there immensely. Robbie later
became very active with the Tulane Alumni Association and served on its national alumni board. In 2004 Robbie was honored to be named Young Alumni of the Year by Tulane University. Robbie returned to the New York area and began a career in the public relations field. He later moved to Washington DC, where he served as the Director of Law Enforcement Relations for the Brady Center Campaign to prevent gun violence. Robbie was a well-known authority on firearm
regulations and spoke at many conferences throughout the country. At the time of his death, he was the founder and president of Safe School Technologies, which developed programs to track bullying and violence in schools. Robbie was passionate about keeping children safe from guns, violence
and bullying, and he was successful in implementing many changes. Robbie's love for life and enormous spirit brought joy to everyone he met. He was kind, thoughtful, generous, funny, and an absolute joy to be around. He would light up a room with his laughter and big heart. His family and friends meant the world to him, but no one meant more to him than his wife, Stacey and their sweet little girl Zoe. Zoe shares her dad's wonderful big heart and smile and will always know how much her father loved her. Robbie's family is thankful to all the doctors, nurses and cancer researchers who worked tirelessly to save him. The kindness shown to his family will never be forgotten. Robbie is survived by his wife, Stacey; daughter Zoe; parents, Robert and June Tessaro of Fort Lee; two sisters, Tracy and Tara; Tara's husband Artie, many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and his maternal Grandmother June. One of Robbie's favorite quotes is by Hubert H. Humphrey: "The Greatest Gift of life is friendship; and I have received it." Funeral Tuesday at 10 AM from the Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home, 1601 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee. Funeral Mass 11 AM Madonna R.C. Church. Cremation private. Friends will be received Sunday 4-8 PM and Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to an educational trust fund that has been set up for Robbie's daughter, Zoe. Please make checks payable to Zoe Tessaro.