Robert F. Tambellini, 74, of Tampa FL, passed away Wednesday evening, October 26, 2016, at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital where he had been a patient since October 7, 2016. Bob was born on November 21, 1941 in Calumet, MI, the son of Mary (nee Sheehan) and Dante Tambellini. He attended schools locally, graduating from Calumet High School in 1959. After high school, Bob served in the U.S. Navy for four years and then went on to earn a degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Bob had many successful jobs throughout his lifetime, one of his greatest accomplishments being the opening of Jack White Design in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1994 with his partner, Jack White. In 2005, Bob and Jack retired and moved to Tampa.
Bob had a genuine love of life. He enjoyed traveling the country, via Amtrak, especially to New York City. He was passionate about the arts and had a deep appreciation for good food, classical music and old movies. Bob was a continuous learner, most recently studying the Italian and French languages. He was an old soul and a true gentleman in everything he did, including still using handkerchiefs in a world full of tissues. Bob had a longtime hobby of completing New York Times crossword puzzles with ease and he had a wonderful, edgy sense of humor. His dog, Bori, and cat, Cedars, were his constant companions and he loved them dearly.
Bob was preceded in death by his life partner, Jack White, his parents, Mary and Dante Tambellini and his brother, James Tambellini. Bob is survived by his niece Mary (Jeff) Foreman, great niece, Meghan Foreman, great nephews, Brennan, Collin and Nolan Foreman, his sister-in-law, Judy Tambellini, numerous cousins and many lifelong and cherished friends.
Plans for a memorial service are pending. Please sign his Guestbook below.
We will miss you Bob.
Rest in peace.
Joe
When I look back on all the years of fun times, our mutual love and respect, these are indeed memories to cherish. Be at peace Bob!
Maureen
Dearest Bob, Throughout your life you have touched many lives in the most positive ways. You will continue to be my good friend in spirit. It comforts me thst you are now reunited with your beloved Jack. Godspeed my friend.
My deepest sincerity,
Joe Clark
Dearest Bob, Throughout your life you have touched many lives in the most positive ways. You will continue to be my good friend in spirit. It comforts me that you are now reunited with your beloved Jack. Godspeed my friend.
My deepest sincerity,
Joe Clark
Dear Mary, Judy and the rest of your family,
My heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
The Tambellinis lived on the same street (Temple Street) in Calumet that my mother was raised and my grandparents (The Medveds) lived most of their lives. I still have a great aunt living on Temple Street.
Bob and I met many years ago through mutual friends in Houghton and became lifelong friends. We both lived in Milwaukee for many years and ironically, both ended up in Florida. Bob in Tampa and me in Fort Lauderdale. We have not been able to see each other as often as we would like, but Bob was in Fort Lauderdale a few years ago and when we got together, it was like we had been together just the day before. I guess that’s what good friends are like.
A lot of people come and go in life, but few are like Bob. He always had this smile like he was up to something-and he was. Being a good guy!
My Condolences,
Dennis Miller
RIP Uncle Bob <3 I have so many fond memories of you growing up and I will miss your stories and your presence.
Meghan
RIP Bob,
I’was so greatful to know you for the last few years, you the great person and great friend.
RIP Bob, We love you
Nando.
Bob, only knew you via Facebook and some emails and only for a very short time compared to so many others in your life but I will always remember you and miss you. Wish I met you in real life. Forever your cousin. Rosella Sheehan
A gentle, generous, and indeed “an old soul and a true gentleman”
I will miss you.
R.I.P
L.
Kiet Tran
My dear pal, BT – — thanks for all the adventures and laughter over the years – I continue to treasure all we have shared. May you be at peace and reunited with family, friends and loved ones. Joan (“Y”!)
Bob, you were a dear friend to many and your genuine companionship brought unforgettable happiness and comfort. I’ll always remember the holiday social gatherings at your home and sharing of merriment. You will be greatly missed by your family and friends but your warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit will be remembered forever. Rest in peace…
Dear Bob,
I always looked forward to seeing you and talking with you when you would come in to work out at Carrollwood Country Club. You were always so positive and had such a gentle spirit. I will miss you very much. I know you have gone on to a higher plane. Rest in Peace.
With love,
Janice Fiorello
Bob, It’s comforting to know that you and Uncle Jack will spend eternity with one another now. We will miss your kind soul. Rest In Peace.
We were very sad to hear of Bob passing. He was truly a member of our family and we enjoyed spending time with him even after our Jack was gone. We will remember Bob always with love.
Jim&Mary
Ciao a tutti:
Bob Tambellini and I knew each other for some 45+ years and became friends in Milwaukee where we lived and worked, and attended the U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We studied and traded Italian phrases and spent time at the Univesity recreation center staying fit after retirement.
Full of repartee, our conversation was always spontaneous and full of wit and humor. Being a lover of animals, I took care of their dogs when he and his partner Jack were away. There was the Blue Tick Hound, the giant bear of a dog called Moses, Houdini the Alaskan malamute mix, and finally Bourie, the Pincher who stayed by his side resting his head on Bob’s thigh. And then there were the cats with Cedars lying atop of him too.
Fortunately, I got to spend time with Bobby this past August as he was recovery from his latest therapy. We had dinners together, went to see a Woody Allen film, and walked the dog. He spoke kindly of his niece and her family, the helpful neighbors who made daily visits, and of Joe who came to walk Bourie. Always in my thoughts and our laughter. Bob appreciated the fine arts, culture, and people.
I wish my condolences to his family.
Ci vediamo in cielo dipinto di blu (Will see you in the blue heaven)
Volare
Volare
Volare, oh oh
Cantare, oh oh oh oh
Let’s fly way up to the clouds
Away from the maddening crowds
We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of
Where lovers enjoy peace of mind
Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind
Just like bird of a feather, a rainbow together we’ll find
Volare, oh oh
E contare, oh oh oh oh
No wonder my happy heart sings
Your love has given me wings
Penso che un sogno cosi non ritorni mai piu
Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu
Poi d’improvviso venivo dal vento rapito
E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito
Volare, oh oh
E contare, oh oh oh oh
Nel blu, dipinto di blu
Felice di stare lassu
E volavo,…
Appreciate hearing from friends: email, hawaiijim@hawaii.rr.com
James Brodhagen
Honolulu, Hawaii
Bueno notte finale Roberto
Dear Family of Robert. I grew up in Calumet and knew Bobs parents Dante and Mary. Have fond memories almost mystical of my parents and grandfather having built camps at Lake Medora.So sadly my parents sold the camp back in the 60’s and I have had such a longing for that place of serenity ever since.I am the only person alive from my family and feel such an affinity to their spirits when I visit the lake .If ever you should decide to sell the camp at the lake I would be grateful to be considered and would be honored to live amongst the spirits of the wonderful people that once lived loved and laughed there years ago.MY deepest sympathy to your family.Sincerely, Susan Strucel. 337-4960
Dearest Bob, the friendship and bond we had was so special. Special enough to both of us that you would travel to NYC and I would to Florida twice a year to share time together. I’d laugh that you took a train and made you do things like ride a bike in Central Park and dance at a street fair in Times Square. The first time you came to NY I think was 10 years ago tonight and we went to the Halloween Parade. Such fond memories of those times and coming to Florida. Life took us in different directions but I am so grateful that in the past year we reconnected and kept in touch every now and then. Rest in Peace Bob, Friends from afar but always forever.
Will miss you Bob. You and Jack are together again. You have left a great impression on my life and Jerry’s life. Will always treasure our good times and extreme laughter. Forty plus years of knowing you made all our lives better. You are a part of the universe which is our comfort. Condolences to family.
He was my buddy. We seemed to be on the same page for as long as we knew each other, more than 30 years.
I will miss being together with Bob and Jack when they were in Milwaukee, then started our phone call friendship when they moved to Atlanta, (with a brief stay back in Milwaukee), and then on to Tampa.
Bob was a chicken when it came to flying, so his visits back to Milwaukee were rare. He drove or took a train everywhere. When Jack died, a little bit of Bob did a well, so I hope they are together again.
Bob, Jack and I were neighbors (and became dear friends) at the Georgetown Condo in Milwaukee, and shared many happy times–and delicious meals!–over the years. Bob and Jack were for many years part of the motley crew of family and friends who gather at my place for Thanksgiving every year, and even after they moved away they, and then later Bob, would almost always call on Thanksgiving day to send regards to the group, chat with all as the phone got passed around, and get an update on this year’s menu additions. So, it will be especially sad this Thursday to miss that annual call. Both Bob and Jack will be remembered in our annual toast to absent friends, and we will observe a moment of silence to mark their passing. Rest in peace,and know that fond memories never die.
I’m graeuftl you made the post. It’s cleared the air for me.
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