Robert L. Zukowski

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Robert Zukowski after living a long and wonderful life. He passed away on December 13, 2024 at the age of 93. He was the beloved son of the late Adam J. Zukowski Sr. and Susan Zukowski (Peto).

Robert was born in Elizabeth, NJ but then became a resident of Green Brook for more than 60 years. He loved New Jersey, the town of Green Brook and his home. Using their GI bills, Robert and his brother John bought a home in 1957 for their mother and the family, and it remained the family home until 2023 when he moved to North Plainfield for the last year of his life. He proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean War from January 1952 to January 1954. He dedicated much of his time after his service in support of Veterans. Robert was a devout member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Dunellen, NJ. As a parishioner he lived his life by attending Mass daily and volunteering when he could. He loved to help make pierogies during the holidays with the other church members. Additionally, Robert enjoyed the weekly coffee and pastry hour following the Sunday Mass.

Robert retired from J G Schmidt Company in Green Brook, NJ and had also worked at several companies throughout his life including Singer Manufacturing Co., Mack Trucks, Inc., Diehl Manufacturing Co., and Great Eastern Food Markets. He was a member of the Dunellen American Legion for 21 years. He served on the Executive board as Judge Advocate and Americanism Officer. His duties were organizing and sending packages to our troops.

Robert, known to many as “Bobby”, “Bobby Z”, “Bob”, and “Uncle Bobby”, was fun loving, kind- hearted and lived simply. Bobby loved his early morning coffee and a seat at the Washington Avenue Deli. Actually, he loved coffee at any time of day. He would make special trips to the local coffee hangouts nearly each morning in his retirement. Many came to know Bobby and looked forward to his visits.

He also loved hanging with his friends at his favorite local spots, for a bite to eat and a drink while shooting the breeze. He enjoyed frequenting Zupko’s and Kerwin’s restaurants. All dogs loved Bobby. He had a number of dogs in his life and was a friend to any dogs in the neighborhood. He loved them all, and was known to have treats on hand for any neighborhood dogs passing by his house.

Most important to Robert was his family whom he loved dearly. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sisters: Ann J. Zukowski, Claire Komar (Zukowski), Mary Folio (Mitrik) and husband Albert J. Folio, Susan Jean Anderson (Mitrik) and her husband Howard M. Anderson, his brothers Alexander Zukowski, Navy Veteran of WWII who served on the destroyer USS Boyd in the Pacific theater, Adam Zukowski, Jr., Army veteran of WWII who received the purple heart when he was wounded in France and his wife Sophie Zukowski (Majewski), John Zukowski, an Army Veteran, USAF in WWII, and Edward Zukowski who sadly died as a young child.

He is survived by his niece Joy A. Gora (Zukowski) and her husband John, niece Barbara J. Crouse (Anderson) and her son Richard Crouse and his two children Brianna and James, nephew John A. Zukowski and his wife Kim, nephew Gary Folio, sister-in-law Virginia A. Zukowski, his devoted caregiver Eteri Modebadze, and a loving community of many friends. When you think of Bobby, smile with the memories you have of his happy-go-lucky spirit and his kind and generous soul. He lived a fulfilling life with family and friends and will be forever remembered. Bobby, we will miss you greatly and will always love you.

Family and friends may pay their respects at Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Ave, Dunellen, NJ on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Graveside burial with military honor will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside, NJ.

You can honor Robert’s life by helping Veterans any way you can. For those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Robert, please select a Veteran’s charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert L. Zukowski, please visit our floral store.