Robert James Sonzogni
March 29, 1937 — September 10, 2017
Robert “Bob” James Sonzogni, 80, of Emerald Isle, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial mass and celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 16, 2017, at St. Mildred Catholic Church in Swansboro, NC, with Rev. Donald Baribeau officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at their home.
Bob was born in 1937 in Englewood, New Jersey. After attending the Delbarton School in Morristown, he graduated from Catholic University. An entrepreneur and property manager, Bob started a number of independent businesses in North Jersey including Bergen Lawn Sprinkler Supply. Bob was also a passionate advocate and speaker for The Sharing Network, a New Jersey-based organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for those in need of a transplant.
Gregarious and outgoing, Bob never met a joke he couldn’t re-tell. He retired in 1990 and moved to Emerald Isle in 1992, but stayed active, continuing to develop and manage property in the area. He was involved with Habitat for Humanity and helped to establish the Habitat for Humanity Re Store in Newport. Bob loved golf, debating politics and Sunday gatherings with his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Frances (formerly Jackson), and their children: Christopher and his wife, Stephanie, of Emerald Isle; Robert and his wife, Lauren, of Pennington, NJ; and Donna Burke and her husband, Matthew, of Moorestown, NJ; as well as seven grandchildren: Paige, Madison, and Christopher; Daniel and Emily; and Shelby and Taylor. His brothers, John, Charles, Ronald and Norbert also survive him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Minnie Moser and John; and his daughter, Carolyn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org; or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.