- Date Of Birth: July 8, 1931
- Date Of Death: July 8, 2014
- State: New Jersey
Robert J. Dâ™Amato, 83, of Lavallette, NJ passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at home. Born in Scotch Plains, NJ in 1931, he graduated from Scotch Plains High School in 1948 and Rutgers University in 1953, earning a B.S. in Education. Bob excelled in sports at Scotch Plains HS, playing football, basketball and track.
He was captain of all three sports. He was the varsity starting Rutgers University halfback from 1949-1951 and high scorer and leading ground gainer in 1950. Bob scored 14 touchdowns from 1949-1951 for Rutgers. He also lettered in track, lacrosse and swimming. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the US Air Force in the Korean War. After the war, he received a contract with the Baltimore Colts of the NFL in 1955. After a brief career, he went in to the bar business as owner of the Gay Spot Tavern and the Carnegie Lounge.
Bob was a member of the Green Brook Golf Assoc. and was a parishioner of the Parish of Pio, Lavallette, NJ. He married his lovely wife Barbara and raised 6 children while teaching school as a Physical Education teacher for the 32 years for the Newark Board of Education. Bob was predeceased by his 2 sons Bobby Dâ™Amato, Jr. and Thomas Dâ™Amato. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years Barbara Dâ™Amato, his children Debra Dâ™Amato, Jeffrey Kamen, Erik Kamen, and Lisa Dâ™Amato, 6 grandchildren Erik, Barbara, Stephanie, Christopher, Steve and Jillian and 4 great grandchildren Giana, Arianna, Piera, and Natalia.
