Robert Francis Wagner, better known as Bob, was born September 5th 1937 in Washington D.C. into the Roman Catholic family of Warren Oliver Wagner Sr. and Selma (Sally) Elias Wagner. Bob is of German, Italian and Syrian decent. Bob, his older brother Warren and parents moved shortly thereafter to Bay 34th St. in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, NY. There his family grew adding 2 brothers, John and Larry. Bob and family lost their mother at the early age of 13.

Bob attended Catholic elementary school then Grady Technical High School. During those years Bob was known as the protector of his family. There are many stories of how Bob’s love for his brothers and family caused him to step up and protect his family in many ways. Whether it was working as a paper-boy or delivery person to actually fighting his brother’s fist fights. He was always there to protect them.

Bob’s father later remarried to Eugenia C. Uhorchek, Jean, as we all know and loved her. She took care of the boys and helped raise them into good men.

Bob became a carpenter in the Carpenter’s local in Brooklyn prior to even graduating high school and worked on many buildings and bridges we all know such as the Verranzano Bridge, the original World Trade Center, NYC Subway System, numerous military bases and installations such as Guantanamo Bay. While working as a carpenter Bob kept busy in his off time. He was a Golden Gloves boxing champion in his weight class…. Featherweight as well can all assume. He was an avid hunter and Yankees fan. He used to drag race in the streets of Brooklyn in his 1934 Ford coupe with a flathead 6 with dual Stromburg bus carburetors, paired with a Lincoln Sephyr transmission and rear end. He even played semi-professional football for a minor league team in Brooklyn. Sustaining broken ribs, while playing, prevented him from serving in the Korean War.

Its hard to talk about Bob without talking about Amy. Both being of rather diverse backgrounds, when introduced by a mutual friend, they immediately fell in love and were married a few years later on October 6th 1962. Bob and Amy had 2 children Wesley, in 1963, and Cynthia, in 1966. They lived in Flatbush, NY until 1976 where they moved to North Massapequa, NY. There they continued to build their circle of friend and extended family. Bob and Amy always had an inviting home. Their door was always open to everyone, often helping friends of their children who were in a difficult place. Bob and Amy also hosted numerous exchange students from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland over the years. It fostered the richness and appreciation of other cultures that was always part of their household.

Bob prided himself with being a great cook. He could carve a turkey and put it back on the frame without it looking like it had been carved. One time, his father, Warren Sr. got very mad at him because he had always loved to carve the bird. After dinner he would enjoy a scotch on the rocks with a twist of lemon. He was a country music fan and especially liked Bluegrass music. He took up lessons on the banjo in later years. He also enjoyed Karaoke and singing in the church choir.

After retirement Bob & Amy relocated to Saratoga Springs, NY where they lived until Amy’s passing in 2009. Bob relocated to Smithtown, NY to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Bob made many new friends in the area and was always the social butterfly. In later years he struggled with COPD from the effects of smoking as well as working with hazardous material in construction.

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