Obituary of Robert Kenneth Bongo

Robert “Bobby” Bongo, 81, passed away Friday, September 13th at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital surrounded by his family. 

Bobby was born in Newark and raised in Bloomfield. He was a graduate and fan of Syracuse University. After college, he returned to Bloomfield and was set up on a blind date with a woman who would become the love of his life, Carolyn. The two were married on September 11, 1971 and had three daughters. They decided to settle in Holmdel to raise their young family. 

Bobby was an avid golf fan, enjoying afternoon rounds at the Bamm Hollow Golf Club in Middletown. His favorite golfer was Freddie Couples. He was an unbelievable cook. His family would beg for his homemade raviolis, potatoes and eggs and his homemade gravy, which his wife Carolyn would happily let him make every Sunday. He enjoyed the beaches in Avon by the Sea and Long Branch. He loved cruises to the Caribbean with his wife, and he was best known for his jokes. Most of all, Bobby loved his time with his grandchildren, whatever they wanted to do Bobby was right by their side. Bobby was also the Executive Vice President and Trustee of the Rainbow Foundation.

Bobby was predeceased by his brother Richard Bongo.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Bongo of Old Bridge, his children, Christine and her husband Jason Hurta of Parsippany, Kelli and her husband John Principe of Aberdeen, and Laura and her husband Dave Yancoskie of Berwyn, PA, his seven cherished grandchildren; Jared, Elizabeth, Jake, Isabella, Nicholas, Claudia and Joey. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Barbara Bongo of Randolph. 

A visitation will be Tuesday, September 17th from 3:00- 7:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road. A mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday September 18th at 10:00 AM at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel. An entombment will follow at the Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum, 900 Holmdel Road. 

In Lieu of traditional remembrances, the Bongo family has asked that donations be made in Bobby's honor to the Rainbow Foundation at www.rainbowfoundation.org.