Robbie was preceded in death by his loving husband and companion of 40 years Robert Joseph Labianca Gold and his great and wonderful parents Robert and Eunice Gold. He is survived by his adoring brother Jeff Gold, loving maltese doggie Charlotte and caretaker Josue Salonga, dearest cousins Carol Iskowich, David (Susan) Iskowich, Sophia and Annaliese Iskowich, Anne (Carl) Ziech, Charlie and Isabel Ziech, Allen (Marlene) Edelman, Steven Edelman and dearest friends to Patrick and Jean Catania, Jim and Theresa Hofheimer, Jim and Holly Wilson, Alice Koza, Sheila Hart, Michael G, Lucille Schiller, Michael Pavia and Ed Kunzman; plus a very long list of his friends and admirers.
Robbie started working in his parents business Budlong Travel Service in his early teen years. It quickly became apparent that Robbie was a gifted businessman in his own right from front office operations to sales; Robbie blossomed before our very eyes. Robert and Eunice Gold started wholesaling the island of Jamaica in the early 1960’s and the company Travel Center Tours was born. Robbie was not satisfied just wholesaling Jamaica so he developed contacts for other island such as Nassau, Puerto Rico, St Thomas and Bermuda.
Eunice Gold suffered a heart attack in 1971 and was one of the first persons in Chicago to undergo a new procedure called open heart surgery; Robbie had been scheduled to begin college however due to his mother’s illness, Robbie assumed more responsibility in the business (George Bailey anyone).
Robbie was endlessly curious and read voraciously with particular affinity to Royal History British and Russian, biographies and murder mysteries and spy novels. He leaves behind a ton of books.
Robbie was able to establish Travel Center Tours as a preferred supplier for Delta airlines in the early 1980’s and a few years later the corporate agency for the Chicago Board of Trade.
The last 2 years were difficult for Robbie; he started having dizziness and vertigo and fell often; his beloved husband Robert died April 06; then Robbie suffered a fatal fall June 02. There are lots of Robbie stories for us to tell and share.
Robbie we hope this last trip to heaven to join Bob, Mom, Dad, Ethel and all our relatives is as beautiful and rewarding for you as your Earthly life has been for us.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 10 am – 12 pm at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. A funeral service will be held at 12:15 pm at the Hennig Chapel, Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660. Lunch will follow at Calo Ristorante, 5343 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640, parking is available in restaurants lot.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in loving memory of Robbie.
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