Robert Ridgway

Robert Ridgway, age 83, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Robert was born and raised in Pompton Lakes.  He was the only son and one of two children to Frank and Alice Ridgway.  While as a student of Pompton Lakes High School, Bob played for the Varsity Basketball and Baseball Teams.

After graduating with the class of 1952, Bob worked for a couple of years with the Erie Railroad.  One day, Bob’s heard in his heart, the call to serve his country.  He and a friend enlisted in the United States Army.  Bob served honorably in the US Army from 1956- 1958.  During his time in the service, he was stationed in Germany and Colorado.  Subsequent to his honorable discharge from the military, Bob found work quickly as a truck mechanic at Country Club Ice Cream where he worked for about ten years and was then offered a position at Entenmann’s Bakery in Little Falls.  Bob was employed there for nearly twenty years earning the title of Fleet Manager.  Following his employment at Entenmann’s, Bob went to work for Wayne Township Board of Education.  He worked for the Board of Education for the next twenty-seven years at Wayne Valley H.S. as the Head of the Custodial Department.  Bob held this position until his retirement in 2011.    

During the summer of 1959, Bob was spending some time with friends at a popular local ice cream/eatery in Wayne called the Milk Barn.   While there, Bob noticed an attractive young lady by the name of Anne Sanclementi.  Bob offered to take her out to the movies.  They hit it off great on the first date and dated just a year.  As fate would have it they fell in love and were married on February 21, 1960 at St. Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes.

Bob and Anne settled in Pompton Lakes.  There they welcomed their first two sons, Robert and James.  As their family started to grow, the couple moved to Wayne Township where they welcomed their third child and only daughter, Marie.  Bob and Anne would call Wayne their home for the rest of their lives.  Bob, Anne and the children vacationed regularly throughout the years in Wildwood and in Hawaii where they owned a timeshare.

Bob never lost his passion for baseball and was a devout and serious New York Yankees fan.  Growing up, some of his favorite players included Mickey Mantle, Thurman Munson, and Joe DiMaggio.  He was always meticulous about his lawn, proudly making sure that he mowed his lawn replicating the same pattern as was in Yankee Stadium.  Bob was also an avid gardener, growing a variety of fruit trees and vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, hot peppers and squash.  One of his prized possessions as of late was his 1931 Model A Ford.  Thoughout his life he developed a love for clocks. He had a variety and multitude of them he had collected in his home throughout his life, including several that he built himself.  Bob could fix just about anything from cars to electronics and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.  He always looked for the best in people and always gave the best of himself to everyone he met.  Bob was a fun person to be around always smiling and joking with everyone. He was a genuine gentleman, and kind of guy that touched the hearts of everyone he met. All that came in contact with him couldn’t help but like him.  

Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He was quite the dictator with his children while raising them, but after his grandchildren were born, his children recall him becoming “Mr. Softy” and spoiling his grandkids to pieces.  Above all of Bob’s talents and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing meant more to Bob than providing for, and spending time with his family and friends.  Bob and Anne cherished forty-nine years of loving and loyal marriage until Anne’s passing in 2009.  Bob was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Bob is survived by his daughter Marie of Wayne, two sons; Robert F. Ridgway and his wife Sondra of Navarre, FL, and James Ridgway and his wife Lynne of Milltown, NJ, one sister Joan Cabrera of Easton, PA, and seven grandchildren AnnaMarie and Daniella Coffaro, Nicholas, Richard, Matthew, Gina, and Robert James (RJ).  He was predeceased by his wife Anne (nee Sanclementi) in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Robert’s name are asked to consider Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad P.O. Box 2004.