Robert Affronti was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 24, 1947. He attended Brooklyn Tech High School and graduated from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania. He married his love Sharon Blackburn on June 14, 1969 and they had two children, Jeff and Dana. Robert and his family moved to California in 1975 where he worked in the insurance business for over 40 years. He started his own company, FSD Financial, in 1995 which his son now runs with his brother-in-law and sister. Robert's greatest joy in life was his family, especially his four beautiful grandchildren, Jake, Katie, Will and Lauren. Robert loved gardening, golfing, the beach, cooking with his grandchildren and weekends spent by the pool. Robert was always ready with a helping hand. He was a good friend, and loving husband and father and an exceptional man. He will live on in our hearts forever.
EULOGY READ JUNE 2nd by Dana Mitchell
Thank you all for coming today. The outpouring of love and support has meant so much to my family and I. Losing my dad has left a whole in our hearts and in our lives. He was such a good man and he lived his life right. He was an honest business man. He was a caring son, a loving husband and father and a good friend. He was generous and kind. He was intelligent and knowledgeable. He was patient and had a great sense of humor.
My father lived for his family. I remember my mom and dad being playful with each other. Two Brooklyn kids who happened to move to California. They understood each perfectly and loved each other dearly. My brother and I grew up in a happy home. I remember laughter, summers spent in the pool and vacations. I remember barbeques with friends and poker games on weeknights. There were nights under blankets sipping hot chocolate when my dad would point to the sky and show us shooting stars and constellations. He loved teaching us whether it was how to drive a stick shift, build something or plant something. He coached Jeff's basketball team to championships and every night at dinner, he would draw out plays with my brother for the next game. There were lessons on how to make struffoli, spadini and sauce. My father and I used to almost compete for the best chocolate chip cookie. He swore putting butter straight on the pan made them better.
There was always laughter, many times at each other. The time dad tried to hit the snake on the big palm but hit his head instead. The time Jeff had the aerosol cheese explode in his face, the way I would stomp to my room and slam the door if anyone made fun of me. So many silly things that made us laugh over and over.
Dad was so excited when I got married. He knew grandkids would be next. Jake was born 3 years later, Jake was such an easy and happy baby and my father was so hooked. Katie was next. Though she was colic as a baby, Dad stopped by almost everyday to get “christened” as he called it. He said a day didn't start until Katie spit up on him Jeff soon married and before we knew it, Will was here. My father adored Will's blue eyes and beautiful smile. A few years later, the baby and final grandchild arrived, Lauren. Lauren stole his heart. She was always so happy to see her Poppa. My father adored his LG, Baby, The Professor and his Beauty. The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool with him including the poppa coaster. There were trips to the beach, many dinners, birthdays, holidays. His office was filled with all of his favorite pictures of the kids.
His love didn't stop at us. He loved is mother, his brother, his sister in laws, niece and nephews. He loved his cousins. My mother's side of the family was just an extension of his family as far as he was concerned. He loved them all and they loved him. When he visited New York, he wanted to see everyone. Family was so important to him.
When my father was diagnosed with cancer over three years ago his first thought was of his family. He knew he had a big fight ahead of him but charged towards being cured for us. After a long treatment, when he was beginning to feel better, he spent as much time as possible with his babies. We cooked, laughed and played. Last year when the cancer came back, again he was ready to fight. He was not ready to miss a day in our lives. My father fought the disease bravely until his last breath. Even when he knew it was incurable, he was willing to fight more, if only to give him a few months. His heart was always with his family.
Losing my dad is incredibly painful but having had him in my life will always be a blessing. He will be missed but always remembered.
Donations may be made to the American Institute of Cancer Research in Robert's honor.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5