Rob “Big Rob” Williams

Rob Williams, age 60 of Pequannock, NJ died suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, March 7, 2025. “Big Rob,” as he was affectionately known, was raised in Pompton Lakes and lived in Pequannock since 1993.

If you’re reading this, the odds are pretty good that Rob has helped you or bailed you out of trouble at some point in time. He would drop everything to help a friend in need, and was a true “MacGyver” who could build or fix anything. He rarely met a challenge he couldn’t overcome, with skills ranging from HVAC, auto mechanics, motorcycle repair, carpentry, excavating, and just about everything else. His garage was his haven, and at any given time you could find a variety of projects underway, like a Jeep CJ, a Harley-Davidson, or a home improvement project. He was a very smart guy and knew how to do everything.

Rob’s early years were enjoyed in Pompton Lakes where he lived with his adored mother, Bette and forged his lifelong friendships. He graduated from Pompton Lakes High School with the class of 1983. He was a proud member of the Sigma Kappa Delta fraternity in high school, and he remained close with his fellow fraternity brothers throughout the years. As a teenager, Rob loved riding dirt bikes, quads, and going four-wheeling up Federal Hill with his friends. He infamously rode his dirt bike down the halls of his high school, riding a wheely the whole way, earning himself a school suspension (well worth it). He had a reputation for being a bit crazy in those days and his antics were always in the spirit of good fun. It was at Pompton Lakes High School that Rob met Danielle Cappetta. She had no interest in dating a guy with his sort of ‘reputation,’ but he was persistent, and she reluctantly agreed to go out with him for one date – just one. That one date was all it took for Rob to win her heart and their loved blossomed. They were married on September 11, 1993 and bought their home in Pequannock soon thereafter. They began raising a family, eventually welcoming a son, Robbie, Jr. and a daughter, Nikki. Rob was an amazing dad, very hands-on, and he loved watching his kids play sports. He enjoyed taking them camping, quad riding, and on summer vacations to Wildwood, NJ. His kids particularly remember Rob pulling them around behind his quad in a sled after a big snowstorm, riding quads at Uncle Billy’s, and going to monster truck shows. Most recently, Rob was helping his son, Robbie, to fix up his own home. The kids made great memories with their dad that they will hold onto forever.

Rob was a big guy with an imposing, almost scary presence. He had a ‘resting grump face,’ as his daughter describes, which made him look intimidating. But Rob was a big teddy bear at heart, who may very well have loved animals more than people! Although he didn’t smile often, his daughter recalled how Rob had an ear-to-ear smile throughout the sealion show at Hershey Park. Critters made him happy. His own dogs and cats melted his heart daily and they meant the world to him. Rob has had many pets throughout the years, currently loving on Nash & Dakota, his dogs, and two cats named Tigger and Boo. They’re all going to miss him.

Rob is predeceased by his mother Bette Soder and mother-in-law April Cappetta. He is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-one years, Danielle, of Pequannock, their two children; Robbie, Jr. of Rockaway, and Nikki of Pequannock, a brother; Bob  Soder and his wife Mary of Bayville, NJ , his father-in-law Frank Cappetta of Lincoln Park, two sisters-in-law; Tracy Rosky and her husband Pete of Wayne, Suzanne Deutsch and her husband Bert of Wayne, as well as his niece and nephews