Robert John Rodecker

Robert John Rodecker, age 70, passed away suddenly on August 29, 2025, at his home in Sharon, Massachusetts. Bob was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on October 6, 1954, he was the son of George Kenneth and Margaret Mary (Mitchell) Rodecker.

His early childhood was spent in a triple decker in Jersey City with multiple generations of his family. Bob’s family then moved to North Arlington where he attended Catholic grammar school, before graduating from the public High School. Through high school Bob worked at the local A&P grocery store alongside his father, George.

Bob attended Jersey City State College, and then transferred to Trenton State College, now known as The College of New Jersey. After graduating he worked at Dunn & Bradstreet. He spent summers on the Jersey Shore with a close-knit group of friends blue fishing and listening to live music. Bob received his Master’s in Education from The College of New Jersey where he built lifelong connections. After graduate school, he worked at Indiana University of Pennsylvania before moving to Massachusetts to work at Simmons College as the Associate Director of Residence Life. There he met the love of his life; Claire and Bob married on January 3rd, 1987, at Wheaton College. Bob worked as a substitute teacher at Boston City High School and volunteered as an English tutor for immigrants working toward their citizenship. He later worked at Rehab Partners where he received his certification from Boston University in Vocational Rehabilitation. In 1989 Bob and Claire bought a house in Sharon Ma, where they lived together for 36 years. Bob worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant at Unum until his retirement in 2023. He relished his ritual of getting coffee with his colleagues. After retiring he started his most beloved job of caring for his granddaughters Hailey in Sharon and Winona in Newton.

Bob and Claire shared a passion for sports, despite rooting for different baseball teams. He religiously followed the Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots, though he had to sit on a separate couch when the Red Sox and Yankees played each other.

Bob had a refined taste in beer, red wine, coffee, and friends. He cultivated a palate for award winning beer, specifically craft New England IPAs, and was always up for a trip to try a new brewery, while counting himself fortunate to have Tree House and Trillium so close to home.

Bob was an avid reader and supporter of his local library. He was the family weeknight cook and inventor of hotdog soup.

Bob found joy and peace in a lifelong hobby of tending to his aquarium.

He believed in being an active member of his community. Bob was a longtime member of the Faith Formation Commission at Our Lady of Sorrows, where he regularly attended Mass with his family. He volunteered as a facilitator and chaperone for multiple service trips with his sons to Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. Bob loved mentoring his sons through overnight trips and competitions with the Boy Scouts.

Beloved husband, and supportive life partner of Claire Ramsbottom for 38 years

Bob’s pride and joy was his relationships with his children and grandchildren. He made it a priority to be present and proud at all of his family's activities and accomplishments.

Loving father of Kara Rodecker and her husband Ryan Donovan of Brooklyn, New York, Kevin Rodecker and his partner Karen Bock of Millis, and Korey Rodecker and his wife Tatiana of Burlington, Vermont

Cherished Daddo of Hailey Rodecker, Winona Donovan, and Jude Rodecker.

Brother of Barbara Ann Hawco and her husband Rick of Ledgewood, New Jersey, and the late George William Rodecker and his surviving wife Daria of New Windsor, New York.

Bob was an uncle, cousin, godfather, and dear friend to many. He was a thoughtful conversationalist, compelling storyteller and dedicated listener. Bob was genuinely invested in the lives of those around him and maintained friendships from childhood. One of his greatest joys in life was watching his family enjoy one another's company.

Bob’s Life Was Good.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bob’s Visitation on Sunday, September 7th, 2025, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 59 Cottage Street, Sharon. He would see it as fitting that this is competing with the Patriot’s home opener.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 8th, 2025, at 10am, at Our Lady of Sorrows. Repast to follow. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob's name may be made to NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) at P.O. Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297 or visiting https://www.nami.org/, to the Greater Boston Food Bank at P.O. Box 55860, Boston, MA, 02205 or by visiting https://www.gbfb.org/, to your favorite institution of higher education, or donating to your local library.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.