Robert B. Zinkowicz Sr.

Robert B. Zinkowicz Sr., of Union, NJ, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday May 23, 2017. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Church 971 Suburban Road Union, NJ, on Friday May 26, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery Westfield, NJ. The family will receive their friends at McCracken Funeral Home 1500 Morris Avenue Union, NJ, on Thursday May 25, 2017 from 4-8 PM. Robert was a mechanic with NJ Transit for 30 years before his retirement. He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Diane Zinkowicz, his devoted sons Robert Jr. and his wife Stefanie, Ryan and Christopher Zinkowicz and his loving grandson Robert Zinkowicz III. Please omit flowers, in lieu of flowers; please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Pl Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Robert B. Zinkowicz Sr. was born and raised in Union, NJ. He was a devoted husband of 38 years to the love of his life Diane. You never knew a couple who loved each other more. He was the best father to his three sons, Robert, Ryan and Chris, who had a closeness and friendship that could never be broken. The love he had for his grandson was like no other. He loved his little Robbie to “The Moon and Back”.

He was a warm and caring man who thought more of others than of himself. He was always there to lend a hand whenever it was needed. His love for his family and friends was unprecedented . There never was a greater man than Robert B. Zinkowicz Sr. and he will forever be missed until that day when we will meet again.

He worked as a mechanic with New Jersey Transit for 30 years before his retirement and did landscaping both during and after. He was a workaholic who never seemed to slow down. He had a passion for landscaping and loved the opportunity to work along side his sons doing what he loved. Whatever free time he had, he would spend in his garden. Rob grew the biggest and most delicious vegetables and was known all over town as growing the best tomatoes in New Jersey! Rob was also a standing member of The Knights of Columbus in Union. Every day you could always catch him driving his truck around the neighborhood and making sure to stop and chat to each person he ran into along the way. On the rare occasion that he ever took a break, he loved to vacation in the Caribbean with his wife and friends, going to AC and hitting the slots or taking his grandson to Disney.

Rob was a simple man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He was a jeans and tee shirt man. His collection of tee shirts would blow you away. If it was a rainy quiet day, you could always catch him watching his favorites: NASCAR, golf, or gangster movies. He also had a passion for music. His knowledge of music history was amazing and no one could beat him at a game of musical trivia. Family BBQ’s, hanging out with friends, and spending time with this grandson are all things that made him the most happy. On any given evening, you could always catch him in his backyard sitting and relaxing with a cold Bud in his hand.

We will always miss him. He was taken from us far too soon. We will all carry him with us in our future journeys and we know that he will always be watching. The memories and stories we have will live forever in our hearts. We love you.