Robert “Bob” Masella, 87, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away at home with those who loved him, on December 16th, 2023. Bob saw beauty in all things. Throughout his 65-year marriage to Barbara, Bob surrounded himself with beauty including flowers of all shapes and colors, and his precious art.
Always a story-teller, especially with an ever-present glass of wine in his hand, he would entertain listeners with childhood memories of his family through poverty and wealth, or his stories of travel, airline industry, baseball, bowling, New York City life, his short army career, or being a proud dad and grandfather. Even after hearing a familiar story several times, he would reveal a new nugget of information with each repeated story. Recently, we found out that he was drafted by a AAA New York baseball team, but his mother, wouldn’t let him go to North Carolina without her. Or as a 20-year-old, newly hired bag handler, and the president of the airline was traveling out of Bob’s station in Newark, Mr. Colodny, told the manager in charge at the time to immediately promote Bob, as he had the charisma and smile that made him a natural front-line man on the ticket counter. This began his customer service career at Mohawk Airlines, with all the perks of traveling, including with his daily helicopter ride from Newark to LaGuardia airports. As the company and his family grew, Bob’s managerial career also “took off” and for the next 32 years, Bob and his family made several cities home including Staten Island, New York; Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Grosse Ile, Michigan; and Palm Harbor, Florida. He would say that most of his life was spent near the water and he loved his boats and time spent on the water fishing, occasionally catching. After his retirement at age 55 from USAir, Bob continued his love of painting and golfing. Bob and Barbara built their current home in the golf course community of Timber Greens, in New Port Richey. For the first 10 years of his retirement, Bob began his second career as a full-time artist, traveling with Barbara, from Maine to Boston and North Carolina, to all points from the east to west coasts of Florida. Each weekend touring the art show circuit as he painted, framed, and printed his work throughout the work week. Many famous people bought his work including Burt Reynolds; Former Governor of New York, Hugh Carey; and a former secretary of the Navy. While his golf game was a steady battle of wits throughout his life.
With his wife and family, his airline career afforded numerous vacation and travel opportunities. He would say that he loved everywhere he visited and shared his love of travel with his children and their spouses: Robert (Kathy) Masella, Lynn (David) Graniero, and Laura (Steve) Alliman and grandchildren, Eric (Suenghee) Alliman, David Graniero, Michael Graniero, Louis Masella and Theo Masella. He particularly enjoyed the memories made traveling with Barbara’s sister, Kathleen McKinnon, and her husband, “Big Red”, to Ireland, Italy, Paris, Greece, and Hawaii, among others. He also cherished the times and friends he had in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina, during their numerous summers as part-time residents, while golfing, painting, and socializing. Particularly when visited by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law (John and Lynne O’Neill).
Although a self-proclaimed non-academic, he relished witnessing the accomplishments of his children and later his grandsons, and would be a constant presence at their numerous athletic events, theatrical performances, musical concerts, academic honors, and graduations. He was also a fan of watching the Tampa Bay Rays and Buccaneers. During one of his last days, we are thankful he was able to witness a Bucs win.
Throughout his life, he was a prolific artist, depicting hundreds of seascapes, landscapes, golf courses, and many paintings capturing his and Barbara’s travels; especially of his precious Ireland. An Irish visitor, meeting Bob at an art show once and viewing his beautiful portrayal of an Irish landscape and cottage quipped, that Bob may be Italian, but he was “Irish of the Heart”. He shared his talent as a guest speaker at his grandsons’ schools, donating paintings to various charities, teaching his friends, and painting personalized gifts for his beloved family. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews spread throughout the United States from New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and California, and would light up at a call, Zoom, or visit.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Lucy Masella of Staten Island, New York and his brothers: Victor (Boots) and Louis (Margaret).
Bob’s plain-speaking, easy way about him, along with his ready smile, distinctive laugh and demonstrative nature, will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in New Port Richey on December 28th, 2023. Pastor Father Eric Peters and Associate Pastor Father George Varkey have been tremendous support to Barbara and her family throughout this difficult time. If you would like to make a donation to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, their online giving portal is www.stanpr.org, click on “Online Giving”, and then go to Memorial. Put “Bob the Artist “in the notes section. Or a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Bob at https://act.alz.org
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Marcia Thomas
December 18, 2023, 11:14 pm
Hugs and prayers to you and your beautiful family! At peace now, blessed with wonderful memories to carry in your hearts forever!
Laurie
December 18, 2023, 11:16 pm
Love you And for sure will miss you and your loving spirit Laurie
Meghan Lacina
December 18, 2023, 11:21 pm
I am very sorry for your loss . I am sending my deepest condolences. You are all in my thoughts and prayers 🙏 ❤️ 💔😢
Bob was a great,sweet man and will be greatly missed
Perry Alliman
December 19, 2023, 3:37 am
We were deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your beloved Father, Husband, and Friend, Bob. Please accept our sincerest condolences, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Bob’s presence in your lives was very important, and his passing is an immense loss. May you find solace and strength in the beautiful memories you have shared together.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences and know that our prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy,
Perry & Debbie Alliman
Bob and Mary Meagher
December 19, 2023, 12:42 pm
Bob was truly a. Unique loving friend. We will miss him very much He was loved and admired by everyone who knew him.
Sharon Torkelson and Chuck Eley
December 19, 2023, 2:17 pm
Thinking of you and your family today with deep and sincere sympathy. Bob’s presence will surely be missed here at TG.
Jan Sternal
December 19, 2023, 4:00 pm
I never knew your husband, but reading about his many accomplishments was overwhelming. He had a full satisfying life. You were fortunate to share this with him and I know he appreciated your loving care through the last difficult years.
Joan Mills
December 19, 2023, 4:59 pm
Dear Barbara
I just read about Bob’s passing. You have my condolences. I know it’s hard but you have lots of friends and we’re ready to help you whether it’s dinner or a good bridge game. Call me if I can help in any way
Much love
Joan
Joan Dutton
December 19, 2023, 5:28 pm
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was such a wonderful man I took many of his art glasses he taught me so much about art. I loved him as a man and a teacher. He will be missed by many Joan Dutton.
Joan Dutton
December 19, 2023, 5:49 pm
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear Bob’s passing. He was such a wonderful man and artist. I took many of his art classes and he taught me so much about art. He will surely be missed Joan Dutton.
Fannie Broslaw
December 19, 2023, 6:10 pm
Dear Barbara & family,
As I look at one of Bobs paintings on my wall, I think of all the beautiful memories that we shared together. Ed & Bob loved painting together in our loft every Tuesday while you and I played golf… Bob was a kind and gentle soul that will be missed by all who knew him… He’s now going to be playing golf and painting with Ed with a big glass of wine in his hand… Be strong my friend!!! Love Fannie
Lynn Werner
December 19, 2023, 6:53 pm
So sorry to hear of your loss. I didn’t know Bob, but I know you, and what excellent care you gave him. My prayers are with you and your family.
Bev and Larry Hanney
December 19, 2023, 7:30 pm
Dear Barb and family,
Our heartfelt condolences. We feel so grateful for having been able to know him and share lovely times with you and Bob.
The beautiful obituary captured what a special man he was and loved by so many.
May you and your dear family find comfort in the wonderful experiences and memories you cherish.
Love, Larry and Bev Hanney
Lena Gloshinski
December 19, 2023, 8:36 pm
Barbara and family.
My sincere condolences to you and your family. He was one of a kind.
He will be missed by all, his family and his friends here in Timber Greens.
Love to you and your family
Lena Gloshinski
Bette Stemwede
December 20, 2023, 11:35 am
My heart goes out to Barbara, Lynn, Robert and Laura. Bob was an exceptional friend who I will always remember as a kind, loving person
who will be missed by all that new him. My many memories will keep me smiling when I think of Bob
Love Bette Stemwede
Jane murphy
December 20, 2023, 2:33 pm
Barbara I was so sad about Bob but then I read his obituary and smiled at what a wonderful life he had I especially enjoyed reading about his Irish heart. Love you
Dianne Guskey
December 20, 2023, 4:22 pm
Barb I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I remember the tacos at ZinZara on Tuesday’s. What fun we had. My thoughts and prayers are going out to you 🙏 🙏 and your family.
gwynn moore
December 20, 2023, 6:26 pm
Dear Barbara,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. You two were a beautiful couple. Find peace in the fact he was a wonderful man inside and out. You two had a beautiful life together ❤️ Love you
Gwynn Moore
December 20, 2023, 6:30 pm
Dear Barbara,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man and I know you will miss him terribly. If there is anything I can ever do for you please don’t hesitate to call. Always Gwynn
Gwynn Moore
December 20, 2023, 6:42 pm
Dear Barbara,
I am so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was a wonderful man. He will be terriblely missed.
Rosemary Tierra
December 20, 2023, 6:54 pm
When I think of Bob I recall the advice he gave me when I moved into TG. If you’re going to be trimming bushes,etc ALWAYS poke around with a rake first just in case a snake is there. 20 years later I still recall that. He was a kind person with a great smile. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Terry Murphy
December 20, 2023, 9:01 pm
Dear Barbara, So sorry for your loss. May Bob Rest in Peace.
Terry
December 20, 2023, 9:02 pm
Dear Barbara, So sorry for your loss. May Bob Rest in Peace.
Sharon Vanderham
December 21, 2023, 1:10 am
Dear Barbara Bob Lynn and Laura
God has blessed your entire family with a wonderful husband father and grandfather. And now God has called him home after Bob has finished his job on earth.
Charlie and I both treasured our friendship with you Barbara and Bob. And how I treasure the wonderful pictures he painted for me, the rounds of golf (Spaghetti Open) we shared and I could go on but the memories will be with me forever.
Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Know you are loved and I am here for you.
In friendship Sharon
KAREN MCCALLUM
December 28, 2023, 11:28 pm
God give you strength to endure at this time.
McCallum Family
KAREN MCCALLUM
December 28, 2023, 11:29 pm
Deepest sympathy.
Kat Masella
January 1, 2024, 2:26 pm
Bob and Barbara were quite the dynamic duo; he was also a loving and kind dad, grandpa (Pop), and teddy bear of a father-in-law – an all-around great person. His exceptional art was made with such TLC and brought joy to so many. He was beloved by all who knew him. His memory will live on, and his spirit will continue to inspire. I’m holding in my heart that he is resting in peace and feeling all the outpouring of love he so deserves.