Robert “Bob” Garland, 71, passed away peacefully at the Cooperman St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Saturday, March 11, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Ave., Verona on Friday, March 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a service of remembrance at 5:30 p.m.
Born in Paterson, Bob grew up in the Paterson/West Paterson area, moved Verona in 1977 and then to West Orange in 2020.
He graduated from Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls with the Class of 1969 and attended Montclair State College.
Bob was a general contractor and design/project manager, owing his own company, BG Designs in Verona for many years. Very often he did custom carpentry work for the customers he served.
A creative spirit with a willingness to help others, he gave many people in Verona their “professional start” to life and their careers. Bob was also an aspiring writer with a particular bent to screenwriting. He loved music, which he passed onto his children, as well as the spirit of the NY Yankees. He had a passion for the arts and travel.
Bob volunteered wherever he was needed – building shelves for the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry and coaching Verona Rec Basketball teams.
He was predeceased by his parents, Basil G. and Marie (nee Yodice) Garland and his brother, James Garland.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary (nee Tallent) Garland; loving children, Meghan Garland and her partner, Frank Gontier, Robert Garland and his partner, Mona Patel, Kelly Garland Starke and her husband, Dave and Brody Garland; and his cherished grandchildren, Avery and Dylan Elizabeth Suriano Garland, Kai Garland, Charlotte Garland, Charlie Starke and Lucas Starke. He is also survived by his siblings, Kathleen Rouzic, Maureen DiLella, Patricia Garland and Susan Bahr.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Tunnel to Tower Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 would be appreciated.
Condolences may be left at proutfuneralhome.com.