Robert "Bob" Joseph Siedlecki

Robert “Bob” Joseph Siedlecki of Deerfield Beach, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on February 7, 2023, at the age of 80. Bob was born on June 17, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York to John Siedlecki and Irene Kempczinski. A Young Bobby made fond memories growing up in Greenpoint and Maspeth (New York City) with his loving parents and extended, tight-knit Polish American family. He served as an altar boy and followed in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, caring for all types of animals, from dogs and cats to iguanas, ducks, and squirrels. Bob would care for more than two dozen dogs across his lifetime.

The oldest of three boys, Bob was a stellar high school athlete, excelling in baseball and track and field events. After graduating from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, New York, Bob attended the City College of New York. Bob then worked as an elevator mechanic at Westinghouse, later going on to own and operate Flynn-Hill Elevator Company of Queens, New York, Chemco Elevator Consultants, Inc., and American Elevator Company in Miami.

In 1963, Bob was introduced by a family member to the love of his life, Cynthia Hutchins Muller. They soon became best friends and were married on May 21, 1966, in Manhasset, New York.

In 1977, Bob moved his growing family to south Florida and, over the years, they lived in Hollywood, Boca Raton, and Highland Beach, Florida. He shared his love of tennis and racquetball with Cindy and their children, Rob and Heidi, both of whom attended Harvard University after graduating Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale.

As a small business owner, Bob expanded his work into property, management, and operation businesses. Notably, Bob formed, owned, and managed several transportation companies including, but not limited to, Friendly Checker Taxi company, Limousines of South Florida, SuperShuttle of Miami, and Non-Emergency Medical Transport Corporation. The Honorable Bob Siedlecki also proudly served the State of Florida as an appointed member of the Transportation Disadvantaged Commission for many years.

Bob served as a federal grant reviewer and a civil-minded community leader who skillfully worked across the political aisle and supported Civitan International and the Boys and Girls Club. Bob was also a skilled mechanic who loved working on antique cars as a hobby. Fluent in Polish and other Slavic languages, Bob loved everything about his ancestral Polish roots. In his later years, Bob won several gold medals in shotput, discus, and javelin in the Florida Senior Games (Senior Olympics).

A most generous man who believed that “the pie could always expand,” Bob would freely give to anyone in need. Bob grew and fostered a fiercely loyal group of friends and business associates over the years. A consummate prankster, Bob never failed to make restaurant wait staff smile with a kind word or a joke, usually involving gag props he strategically brought to dinner. He will always be remembered for the loving man, friend, husband, father, and grandfather he was.

He is survived by his life partner of 56 years, Cynthia “Cindy” Siedlecki, son Robert (Tamara Demko), of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, daughter, Heidi Martell (Jonathan) of Tucson, Arizona, and grandchildren Alexandra Wilson (Mello), Victoria Siedlecki, Amrit, Simran, Prem, Leta, & Haruki Martell, and Cole & Joshua Demko. He is also survived by brothers Kenneth “Ken” (Joanne) and Albert “Al” (Annie Walker), several nieces and nephews, and a great-granddaughter-to-be. He is preceded in death by John and Irene Siedlecki and Luna Martell.