Robert J Magrogan

Robert J Magrogan, age 83, of Clifton, New Jersey passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Robert Joseph Magrogan died peacefully on the feast of St. Francis de Sales, January 24, 2023, in his home in Clifton, New Jersey. His beloved wife and his sons were at his side, and he was surrounded by the love and prayers of his grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The third of four sons, Robert was born August 31, 1939, to the late Randolph and Louise Magrogan in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up across the street from St. Joseph's Monastery where he was introduced to the Passionist mission and love for Christ that would guide him throughout life. His childhood experiences taught Bob, alongside older brothers Francis (Barbara) and Jack (Anne) and younger brother Jim, the importance of faith, family, respect, and giving - lessons he would later pass onto his own sons.

Life eventually brought Bob north to Union City, NJ, where he would meet the love of his life, Josefa Navarro. Ever the romantic, Bob swept Jo off her feet with greeting cards, flowers, and his gentlemanly charm. They were married on November 24, 1984, setting off on a 38 year journey of peaks and valleys. Their early BK (before kids) days were filled with love, laughter, and trips to beaches and their favorite mountains to ski together. Travel slowed down to a crawl with the arrival of his "Irish twin" sons Nicholas and John in 1986 and 1987. In between their arrivals, Bob's good friend Jack Leber convinced him to join him in the funeral business, launching a 25 year career as a funeral director. He took great pride in his work and considered it an honor to serve others at a time when all seems lost.

Bob's greatest pride came in being a father. He spent Nick and John's early childhood fully immersed in homework, sports, summer weekends on their boat, and winter trips to the mountains to teach the boys how to ski. Despite the distance between him and his brothers, he always made time for weekend trips to Maryland for visits with his family. 2013 brought big changes to Bob's life. John married his wife Gina Pagano, Nick married his wife Jennifer Hoeffner, and Bob finally decided it was time to relax and retired from Leber Funeral Home. With the boys out of the house, Bob and Jo decided it was time to jump back on a plane and get on the move. They fulfilled a lifelong dream when they embarked on a cruise to explore Alaska, and after Jo's retirement in 2016, finally had the opportunity to visit Spain together. Their three week adventure included a weeklong stay in Jo's birthplace in the Canary Islands and a tour of the northwest mainland.

Bob found a kind of joy he had never experienced before in 2014 with the birth of his first grandson, Johnny. The family continued to grow, and at the time of his passing Bob was "Pop" to Johnny, Dominic, April, Christian, Nico, and baby Magrogan due to arrive in July 2023. Though Bob was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2015, he never let it get in the way of his love for life. As his mobility diminished he still found joy in the finer things in life - sweet iced tea, ice cream by the pint, chocolate chip cookies, Irish coffee, and chateaubriand to celebrate the holidays.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Leber Funeral Home, 2000 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Union City, NJ 07087.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 115 Fort Lee Rd, Bogota, NJ 07603.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert's memory can be made to either the Passionists or the Salesians:

Immaculate Conception Monastery

86-45 Edgerton Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Sociedad Salesiana - Puerto Rico

Attn: Rev. Nicolas Navarro

P.O. Box 14367

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00916

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leber-fh.com for the Magrogan family.