- Date Of Birth: April 20, 1938
- Date Of Death: August 18, 2022
- State: Florida
Robert Thomas Sydlo, known by most as Bob, predeceased by parents Mary, John and brother Jimmy. Bob was born in Brooklyn, NY in the Spring of 1938. He attended PS236 and Midwood High School in Mill Basin (Brooklyn); where he met his lifelong pals Harry Mullin and Bob Ernst (Ernie). In his mid teens, the family moved to New Jersey and soon after his dear sister Andrea was born. During these teen years he acquired the moniker “Brooklyn”. His fondness for going fast in cars was a source of joy for Bob, but not so for his Mom and local law enforcement!
Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned to his old neighborhood in Brooklyn and reunited with his many friends at his favorite watering hole, Crockett’s on Ralph Avenue. In 1960 he met the love of his life, Catherine Tracy (Cathy). They wed in 1961 and moved to Bay Ridge. They would often sit in a nearby park and watch as the building of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge neared completion. Bob often shared his dreams of owning a boat. His two sons Robert and Keith were born, while he worked several jobs saving to buy a new home. He was climbing the ladder at UPS and left as one of the favorite shop stewards after being selected to become a fireman for FDNY in 1968.
Bob was assigned to FDNY’s prestigious “Jolly Rogers” at Engine 255/Ladder 157 on Flatbush Avenue. In 1971, he took his family to the “woods” of Long Island, 2 minutes away from the Long Island Expressway. Which would later be referred to as the LIE, the world’s largest parking lot! It was here, on this tucked away dead-end street, that Bob created a little oasis, that many friends and family would flock to during the sweltering days of summer! Bob loved a good competition in the backyard, whether it was horseshoes, croquet, badminton, water polo, water basketball, ping pong, or an intense game of wiffle ball!
In 2003, Cathy and Bob became “snowbirds” after purchasing their condo in Deerfield Beach, FL. Bob created many memorable moments on Dewey Street, before leaving in 2021.
Bob loved his family, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, sisters in law, brothers-in-law all loved and admired him. They loved his stories and especially his welcoming ways.
