Robert J. Portanova

Robert “Bob” J. Portanova, 80, of Dunellen, NJ, passed peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025. He was born on December 22, 1944, in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island. He extended his heart to help family and friends while living gracefully with Parkinson’s disease. 

Bob obtained an undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University and a Master of Science degree from Syracuse University. He worked as a Production and Quality Assurance Engineer for various companies including RCA and SGS-Thomson. The government drafted him into the U.S. Army, where he faithfully served in the Signal Corps in both the United States and Germany from 1969 to 1971.

Bob was an avid reader of science fiction and history books, and he had a sharp analytical and mathematical mind. He enjoyed playing chess, handball, and racquetball. He grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and then became a Yankees fan. He had an intense love for coffee and chocolate.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Anna Portanova, his beloved wife, Margaret, his daughter, Doreen Vallone, and his son-in-law, Paul Batson.

He is survived by his children Brian Portanova, Matthew Portanova, Leann Batson, and Karen O’Connell; brother Peter Portanova; sister Joanne Dlugozima; grandchildren Anna, Evan, Ethan, Ella, Lynze, Ericka, Adam, David, and Clayton; great-grandchildren Eddie, Hunter, Fisher, and Jace; daughters-in-law Emily Portanova, Margie Portanova; and sons-in-law David Vallone, CJ Bunting, and Steven Knight.

Bob’s wake will occur on January 30, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Bridgewater Funeral Home in Bridgewater, NJ. His funeral will be held on January 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Bridgewater Funeral Home; following the funeral, he will be interred at the New Cemetery in Somerville NJ.

In place of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which exists to accelerate the next generation of Parkinson’s disease treatments. 

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