Robert "Mr. I" Imparato, Sr.

Robert “Mr I” Imparato, Sr

Navy Veteran, Robert A. Imparato Sr., 82, of Huguenot passed away on August 6, 2023, from complications related to pancreatic cancer.

Robert, Bob, to all who knew him, was born November 29, 1940 to Vincent and Helene (Vispetto) Imparato in Brooklyn, New York.  He attended public elementary and secondary schools, leaving Erasmus High School for the United States Navy in 1957. After an honorable discharge in 1961, he continued his formal education at Empire State College.

After leaving the military he  worked briefly at Commercial Bank of North America, where he met his wife Anna (Bonavita) of 59 years.  He used his military training as a Radioman 3rd Class to work as a Communications Engineer at RCA, then a technician at IBM and eventually as an Electrical Engineer for IBEW Local 3.  He also worked for Bayley Seton Hospital, Eger Nursing Home  and the NYC Housing Authority in his later years.  He retired in 1986, 1996, 2001 and 2004…he loved to work.

He married Anna in 1964 and settled in Brooklyn. They went on to have four children, two boys and two girls, exactly what they wished for.  Outgrowing their home, they moved to Staten Island to the Eltingville section in 1973 when the area still had unpaved streets. Within a few years they relocated to Huguenot to their forever home in which he lived for over 45 years.

His pride and joy were his four children, Robert Jr, Richard, Deborah and Gina. He worked multiple jobs to make sure that his wife could stay home to raise them. Throughout his life he taught his children by example about work ethic and resourcefulness. Those qualities were passed on to not only them but to his eleven grandchildren.

On any given day you could find him fixing something or puttering around in the garage, working on some project or another. He had every tool or device you could imagine and a workbench that he built by hand. He could fix anything and seemed to have any part or material you needed.

Music and volunteering were a constant theme throughout his life. Given his first instrument, a ukulele at the age of 8, he taught himself to play and eventually began playing the guitar and piano. He would sing and play at family gatherings as a child, and as a teenager performed in talent shows as Elvis Presley. He performed at the old Willowbrook School, played the piano at Eger Nursing Home and volunteered as the music teacher at Holy Child Preschool. He was fondly known as Mr. “I” to the students, even to a few of his grandchildren.  He was a mainstay at the Mt. Loretto friendship club for over 20 years.  This year he was awarded with the first annual, “Robert Imparato Legacy Award: for Excellence in the Arts and Showmanship,” an award that will be given in his honor annually.

A member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and an associate of the Korean War Veterans Association, Robert enjoyed spending time at the  New Jersey shore, specifically in Lavallette, where he would teach his grandchildren how to crab, or just sit outside listening to 50s music enjoying the view. He also enjoyed watching science fiction movies, especially in the theater.

In addition to his wife Anna, he was the devoted father to Robert Jr (Deborah), Richard (Debra), Deborah Genovese (Gaetano), and Gina Runfola (Richard).  He also adored each and everyone of his grandchildren, Robert, Gabrielle, Joseph, Lauren, Michael, Joseph, Matthew, Alexandra, Gianna, Richard and Nicholas.  He is loved and is survived by many many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers to please consider donating to the Addeo Residence, where he spent his final days, or to Tunnels to Towers.   Envelopes for these charities will be available in the funeral home.

The Navy Honor Guard will be present at Holy Child RC Church.