Obituary of Robert Eccles

Eccles, Robert “Bob”, 76, died suddenly after a brief illness.  Robert was born on 29 June, 1948 in Jersey City, the son of the late John and Christine (Madden) Eccles. Bob grew up in Kearny and lived there for 41 years before moving to Lyndhurst in 1989 where he spent the rest of his life. He was a graduate of Kearny High School, Class of 1967.  Shortly after finishing school, he was drafted into the US Army. He completed basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey, then advanced training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, before being deployed to South Vietnam, where he spent a year surviving all sorts of dangers. As a result of his extraordinary service, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Bravery and Valor following combat operations against a hostile enemy. An award for which he was very proud of.  Bob always had a strong work ethic - after receiving a shoeshine kit for Christmas when he was ten years old, he would go around to the local bars of Kearny and Harrison on his bike, to make money shining the patrons’ shoes.  Bob began his working career at Two Guys of Harrison and after returning from Vietnam he found employment at Millar’s Pies in Lyndhurst and then as a store manager at Clare’s Shoprite in Rutherford for several years. From 1999, heworked for Inserra’s Shoprite as a frozen foods manager until retiring in 2013.  Bob was a loving, responsible and hardworking husband and father who greatly enjoyed spending time with family, going fishing with his brother Jimmy, bowling and oftentimes daily trips to Rutt’s Hut. His smile and quiet charm will be missed deeply especially by his loving wife Bernadette who he has been with for 35 years.  In addition to his beloved wife Bernadette, he is also survived by his brother, Jimmy (Linda), sons Jon (Bek), and Robert, Jr., a daughter Jennifer (Brian), five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Monday, October 28, beginning at 9AM.  Funeral service begins 11AM.  Interment to follow, Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wounded Warriors Project by clicking here Wounded Warriors Project   or  St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital  by clicking here St Jude .  You may express condolences to his family by using our tribute wall.