Final Salute

Robert A. DiFiore, Sr.

86, of Smithtown, NY, died peacefully on Wednesday January 8th,

following a two-year battle with cancer. Bob was a retired New York City Fireman and Fire Marshal for 22 years, as well as home improvement contractor for many more. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Jennie, married for 66 “glorious” years; his two adult children, son Robert Jr. and daughter Lisa and her husband Gary; six grandchildren – Gina, Gary, Kristi, Victoria, Julia and Bobby; one great granddaughter, Bella; sister-in-law Lillian; niece Susan and husband Mark; grandniece Laura and husband Larry and great grandnephew Lucas; many cousins including Richie and Gary who he loved like bothers, and countless more friends and neighbors. Bob was pre-deceased by his parents Sam and Fran DiFiore, granddaughter Jennifer, daughter-in-law JoAnn and niece Laura.

Bob was born in January 1938 in the Bronx, NY to Sebastian (Sam) and Frances (Occhiuzzo) DiFiore, an only child, but blessed with many Italian aunts and uncles and even more cousins. Bob met his “Uptown Girl” Jennie Tedesco in 1955 at a mutual friend’s wedding shower. He married his “angle” two years later in October 1958. Son Robert Jr. was born in 1960, and daughter Lisa in 1962.

Bob started his working life in 1954 at age 17 for the NYC Dept of Sanitation plowing snow. After graduating High School in 1956, Bob joined the US Navy “SeaBees” Construction Battalion. Following his discharge, Bob entered the FDNY fire academy and was formally appointed Fireman in 1962. After an illustrious 17-year career of fighting fires, Bob switched things up and was promoted to Fire Marshal in 1979, and instead chased arsonists for another five years before finally retiring in 1984. He was a recognized expert on arson in court and loved testifying at criminal trials.

Bob and Jennie moved from the Bronx in 1965, initially to N. Babylon, and then finally to Smithtown in 1972. On the side, Bob had a home-improvement contractor business for many years, a portion of which working with his son Bob and son-in-law Gary. He was of course a complete tool nut and collector, and an avid woodworker, spending hours in his basement shop making all kinds of things.

In his later years, Bob was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and ran several memorable summertime “Pig Roasts”. Bob was a complete “foodie” – a great cook and midnight snacker – he enjoyed every kind of seafood, sushi and a variety of “exotic” cheeses. Bob and Jennie were also great aficionados of the beloved Long Island breakfast, the egg sandwich. Bob cherished time with his grandkids, playing cards with them and goofing around in whatever shenanigans they could dream up.