Robert "Bob" William Banta, 75, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 12th. He is now reunited with his parents, Milton S. Banta and Evelyn Banta (nee, Van Dyke) & his brother Scotty Banta.
Bob was born in Hackensack, NJ on May 23,1942 and raised in Midland Park, NJ with his brothers, Scotty, Larry, and Gary. Bob attended Montclair State University where he was Tennis Team captain and graduated with honors, receiving the Randal D. Warden Award for academic excellence. Bob went on to become an educator and coach for the Long Valley School District and could be described as the original “Mr. Woodcock” of gym class before leaving to continue his work in the private sector.
Bob was an entrepreneur who loved helping people with his talents and skills. Becoming a painting contractor lead him to meet his beloved wife of more then 34 years, Josephine, when she hired him to paint her house. One day he accidentally locked himself out of the house while she ran to the store. Upon returning to the house she saw him outside and laughed as she said “you locked yourself out didn’t you? Well, you may as well stay for dinner.”. Little did they know that, by Bob accidentally doing so, it would lead to them locking one another in their hearts forever.
Bob and Jo moved to Toms River in 1983 where they raised their two sons and owned their cleaning business for over 30 years. Bob also worked for 10 years at the Walmart of Toms River, in the hardware department, earning himself the nickname "Bob the builder".
Bob loved football and was the world's biggest New York Giants fan. He was a creative soul as well, making many beautiful items with his woodworking skills and artist's brushes. He was a consummate family man who took great pride in his legacy of 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.
Bob is survived by and will be dearly missed by his wife, Jo; his son, Robert Banta, Jr and his wife, Joanie and their 3 children: Nicholas Robert, Alexis Nicole, & Joseph Vincent, all carrying on their Grandpa's love of athletics; his son, James J DeAngelis and his wife Lori and their adult children, Richard Pasquale and Hollianne Michel, both who are extremely artistic like their Grandpa. Great-grandson from Hollianne, Avery Michael, 6, is still discovering his talents but loved to watch the birds on all of Grandpa's bird feeders. Also surviving & missing Bob are brothers Larry & Gary, many nieces and nephews and extended family and in laws.
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