Robert “Bobby” Konowich

Robert “Bobby” Konowich, 70 of W. Milford and formerly of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Bobby is survived by his beloved wife, Vita, their four children: Vita Tangorra (Jason), Katie Konowich, April Zozzaro (Stephen), and Bobbi Konowich, three grandchildren: Jake, Nicholas, and Viviana, a sister: Jackie Wakefield, and two brothers; Joe “Butch”, and Stephen. He was predeceased by his sister Paulette DeFrance.

Bobby was born to Jacob and Anna Konowich in November of 1952. He was born in Newark and raised in West Orange, NJ. Bobby graduated from West Orange High School and continued his education at Ramapo College with a degree in Political Science. 

After college he started a wholesale flower business in New York City and moved on to open his own property maintenance and landscaping company. Over the 30+ years of working in the industry he made many lifelong business partners and friends. His ambition allowed him to grasp any small business opportunity that crossed his path. From selling flowers and Christmas trees around the holidays, to various chimeneas stands from north to south Jersey to name a few. His want to always help people eventually led him to become highly involved in disaster relief clean ups across the country. The business opportunities he sought after were endless.

Bob was resilient, a true rebel, an innovator, a man who didn’t take no for an answer, but more importantly was generous to a fault. There is nothing he wouldn’t have done for his family and friends. A man of many ideas and talents with endless surprises up his sleeve. He made sure there was never a dull moment. If he was involved, you were guaranteed a great memory. Bobby’s ability to bring a unique and exciting experience to anything he did came effortlessly.

He was a man of many hobbies, a jack of all trades, which earned him the nickname MacGyver. Often seen in Indian motorcycle gear, Bob had a passion for riding from a very young age. His patriotism led him on countless motorcycle cross-country trips that fulfilled his true love for the USA.  His biggest interest was motorcycles, but he had limitless other hobbies such as beekeeping, hunting, wine making, snowmobiling, and scuba diving, just to name a handful. Every few months or so, he would pick up a new hobby, entirely different from any others he had before. His drive to learn about anything that intrigued him, just a bit, was one of his most admirable qualities.

Bob met his wife Vita in 1974 on spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and later was married in Illinois in the summer of ‘77. They moved to Wayne, NJ in 1984 where they raised their four daughters, Vita, Katie, April and Bobbi. In 2010 & 2019, Bob finally was no longer the only man in the family, and got the sons he always wanted, Jay & Steve. But by far, one of his most treasured titles, was that of Pop Pop to his three adoring grandchildren, Jake, Nicholas and Viviana. 

The everlasting impression he made on anyone he met, the life lessons he taught us, and the memories he gave us all will forever be remembered. He was a one of kind, legendary man who will be incredibly missed. He would want us all to celebrate him in whatever way that he impacted your life the most. In doing this, his memory will live on forever in each of us.

For those wishing to make a donation in Bobby’s memory, please consider the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, 825 Georges Rd, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902, www.bianj.org.