Robert (Bob) Roggio of Siesta Key, FL, died on April 13, 2024, at age 83. He was a kind and generous person who always had a sunny outlook on life. He passed away peacefully in the home that he loved, surrounded by his family and friends.
Bob was born in Philadelphia, PA, to Salvatore and Livia Roggio. He grew up in the Philadelphia area, attending Roxborough High School and Keystone Junior College. Bob was a talented musician who performed with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. He graduated from Arizona State University with an engineering degree. He later participated in the Naval Air Force Reserve in California.
Bob had a passion for planes, cars and boats. He learned to fly private planes, first with his uncle in the Philadelphia area and then later in Arizona. His first car was a 1955 Chevy, which he loved to race. In the 1960s, he built, raced and drove E-TYPE Jaguars. He sailed boats on the Chesapeake Bay and around Sarasota. He was happy that his son and grandson carried on the family sailing tradition that he started.
Bob began his career working with his father at Lehman Specialty Company. He then joined Zenith Products Corporation, which his family founded. Bob spent the rest of his career at Zenith, working as an engineer and eventually becoming president. In 1994, he and his trusted Zenith partners sold the company to MASCO, allowing Bob to retire early and enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Bob redirected his energy toward his two dream homes. First he built “Summer Wind,” a beautiful Tudor home on Crab Creek in Annapolis, MD. He traveled to England to find authentic materials and furniture for this home. He later bought a beach house in Siesta Key. He added Asian touches to create a Japanese-style house, where he enjoyed watching thousands of sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.
He is survived by his wife, Sally (Davis) Roggio; former wives Ida Jones Roggio and Valerie Benson; son Neil and his wife Sarah Roggio; daughter Hilary and her husband Eddie Raftovich; grandson Hugo Raftovich; brother Vincent Roggio; and stepsister Willa Stephenson.
Bob was predeceased by his former wife Mary Roggio and half-sister Egean Evans.
His family and close friends will gather to celebrate his life on May 4, 7 p.m., at the Sanderling Clubhouse on Siesta Key.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
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