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Bob Jr. (AKA Bobby) posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
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Thoughts of Dad
By Bob Jr.
Dad was born in 1925 and lived through the fasted technological advancement period in human history. To give you perspective, when dad was born the television wouldn’t be invented for another 2 years. Back then the family entertainment was gathering around the radio and listening to news, vaudeville or radio opera. Of course, that was only after the garden was hoed, animals fed and chores done. When he was born the internet wouldn’t be invented for another 40 years… and most of you won’t remember but a time without smart phones, but the cell phone wouldn’t exist for another 60 years.
Now a days we hop on a plane and zip across country in a couple of hours, but back then aviation was in its infancy and the airplanes of the day were mostly bi-wing props and made out of wood and canvas and pale in comparison to the high-speed jets of today. Also, you might call it unfortunate, but Black Friday and the Great Depression started when dad was 4 years old. In hindsight this was not a liability, but rather what forged him in to the strong, goal-oriented man he was to become. Dad is the last of 8 brothers and sisters that were a hard-working close knit Italian family, who could live off the land and were very self-sufficient. When dad was a young lad, he and Sam Angotti used to sell newspapers on High street for a penny each. He would bring home “most” of the money he earned to give to his mother… I say most because dad loves chocolate.
When dad was in his twenties Big Bands ruled the day. In his last months and days, we would play big band or opera play on the iPod radio. Often a song would come on and he would look on the ipod to see who was singing and he surprisingly he knew almost all of them. Compare that to what you listened in your teens or twenty’s?
Three of my favorite anecdotes that dad told:
-KITTY-
Being the youngest child, when dad was little he could be found in the garden watching his older siblings tend to it. Naturally dad would wonder and explore along the outskirts. One-time dad wondered over to some nearby trees and tall grass and found a kitten. He just had to pick it up and run to ask his mother to see if he could keep it. Upon arriving at the back door of the house he yelled for his mom to look at the kitty and said “can I keep him” at which time he became confused by the horrified look on his mom’s face as she yelled “GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE”!
Dad didn’t bring home a kitten… he had brought home a baby skunk!!!
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-BROOMARANG-
It goes without saying that with a large family there could be a lot of chores to do which brings me to this next ditty. One day when dad was in his tweens part of his chores was to hoe his section of the garden… and the garden wasn’t small. He had been at it for about half an hour when his friends came down the street yelling for him to grab his baseball glove and come play ball. His mom saw and said no, not until you finish… not exactly in those words, but you get the idea. Needless to say, he tried to “speed” hoe, but under his mother’s watchful eye this didn’t go over well. Off in the distance he could see the boys walking to play ball and he couldn’t take it anymore. He said mom, I’ll hoe the garden when I get back and started to run full gate towards his compadres. It was then Nana grabbed the closest thing which just happened to be a broom, flung it boomerang style and tripped dad to the ground. By the time he was picking himself up, nana was already standing over him with the hoe and told him… I said you can’t go until you’re done…
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-TINIAN-
During WWII dad had enlisted in the Army Air Corps. The DeAntonis family had 4 brothers fighting in the war, and one (Uncle Art) died in the hedge row near St. Lo France. Dad’s first duty station was on Tinian island which was within bomber strike range of Japan. After couple of months on the island dad noticed a strange hangar with a large lower pit and saw a plane named the Enola Gay.
Bonus points: Q: Can anyone tell me what is the Enola Gay?
A couple of months later the Enola Gay would be instrumental in bring the war with Japan to an end by dropping the first atomic bomb. Ok, now back to the story. It was announced that a Typhoon was on the way and dad decided to take matters into his own hands. This is where nana’s flying broom story segues into this story. His friends again wanted dad to come play softball. Dad said you better secure your tent, a Typhoon is on its way. The friends seemed unimpressed a went on to play ball. Dad in turn went to find additional tent stakes and guy wires to double down his tent. Fast forward to later on that night. While dad was sleeping, he was awoken by rushing wind and thought he heard hushed voices but couldn’t see anything because the power was out. He nodded back to sleep, but was woken up an hour later with loud talking and his tent full to capacity with soldiers. He asked them “what are you all doing in my tent” they replied. Bob, your tent is the only one that is standing!!!
In closing:
Since retiring from the Navy I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to spend time with Dad and make up for lost time. For the past nine years Dad and I have been able to play golf a couple of times a week and go to many sporting events. When I was young Dad would try to pass on some of his wisdom and say “you think I’m stupid now, but when you get older you’ll change your mind,” I would like to say to the youngsters, (especially the ones that their parents are stupid or embarrassing) it is 100% true and I wish you could understand and agree, but unfortunately you’ll need to live your life before you’ll know… your parents are geniuses.
I miss you!
Your loving son,
Bobby
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Jeff Stewart posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Mr. DeAntonis was a great man . One of his many talents was that he always had the football field ready for the first game every year when it was a grass field at MHS. I will always credit him on teaching me how to parallel park. To this day I use it at least once every couple of weeks in downtown Morgantown . Also , I learned how to wrestle from him as a coach . He will be missed . I appreciate him as an honorable man . Tough but fair .
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Steve & Sharmon Paris purchased flowers
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
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May you find peace and comfort in the life lived and the love from all blessed to know Bob.
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Jack L. Vesano posted a condolence
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Anne and I want to offer our condolences to Uncle Bob's family.
He was very special to me in many ways. He was always encouraging and guiding in his gentle way. I spent many weekends watching him play multiple softball games in Brave, Pa. He was an amazing athlete with exceptional stamina and skill. He could intimidate the batter from his 3rd base position by getting about 10-15 feet away and challenging them to hit the ball past him. They tried but rarely succeeded. He encouraged me to participate in sports and would come to the games to offer encouragement and ways to improve in his gentle "coach" attitude..
Rest easy Uncle Bob! All of your hard work is finished and you will be forever in our prayers and memories.
Love, Jack
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Love, Scott Jackson and Valerie DeAntonis purchased flowers
Sunday, August 4, 2019
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Dear Loves, We are with you in spirit and love. Uncle Bob will be greatly missed because he was loved so much. God bless you and keep you.
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Paul Templeton posted a condolence
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Deepest sympathy and prAyers to the family and friends if Coach Robert ‘Bob’ DeAntonis. He was a very active and multi talented man with a wonderful personality , sense of humor, respect for others, devoted teacher, educator, businessman and even a Morgantown High School Driver Education instructor fit in class and in car training ( I was one of his students) A member of MHS Class Of 1943 he regularly/ willingly attended/participated in his high school reunions working alongside his classmates my late mother Mary Edith. Coddington Templeton, Robert Maiolia, Bill Mills, Dewey Hastings, Boyd Hastings, Frances Lindamood, Alma Gallagher Schultz, Betty Sweitzer O’Neil and others. As a WWII veteran, Coach Bob was also a member of that Greatest Generation all of us owe great thankfulness and appreciation for their personal service risking own lives in protection of freedom , protection and rights we all enjoy to this day in our country. He epitomized love of his family, faith, community, Country, education, living life and people in it. Especially excelled as a wrestling and track coach at MHS, while I was gifted 1974-1976 , Coach Bob mentored many youth to pursue athletic excellence to award winning heights and devotedly encouraged his young son then to run track and later same encouragement for his grandson, plus encouraged his daughter in school, in band and even tap dance classes at Virginia School If Dance. In fact daughter Fisne’s husband grew up on my same Callen Avenue Dtreet. In recent years, I continued seeing Coach Bob around his Mirgantown home on same street where my Kate Auntvand UnckecGrace and John Shale owned a home and saw him at MHS homecoming football games, NGS band spaghetti dinners and annually at the Morgantown Hugh School Athletic Sports Hall if Fame induction banquets and ceremonies if which he was an honored proud inductee.He always greeted and renembered his former students and athletes. He was one of few remaining MHS coaches still living from my 1974-197) years along with Mr. Baseball Chester Brooks and Bill Hines, preceded by Victor Bonfilli, Clyde Green, Jack Roberts.Ciach Bob’s legacy lives in i. His children and family, former students and athletes and all who had honor knowing such a remarkable person and in the myriad of memories shared by all who loved him.Blessings.
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Valerie DeAntonis posted a condolence
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Our visits with Uncle Bob were few but our memories are many. Bob's smile could light up a room almost as though you were receiving a hug--and his hugs engulfed you--well he's Italian!!
I know Bob will be missed by all the family and friends with whom he shared his love and devotion. I think heaven got a little louder when Bob showed up because the DeAntonis family has always been a big, loud, and loving welcome to all, kind of family.
Thank you for your love and laughter Uncle Bob, you always brightened my day with emails, Christmas and birthday cards.
Our heart goes out you, Bobby and Diane and your families. Thank you for sharing your Dad with so many of us. Love, Valerie and Scott
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Laura Hager posted a condolence
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Bob taught me a lesson in not judging a book by its cover. He was more soft hearted than people knew-we had an amazing conversation shortly before his wife passed that I will always remember. Many condolences to his family.
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Cheryl J Skinner, WV Patriot Guard posted a condolence
Sunday, August 4, 2019
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Robert Thomas DeAntonis, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten.
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….
US Army Air Corp Veteran, Robert Thomas DeAntonis, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
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Barbara Palumbo lit a candle
Sunday, August 4, 2019
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Barbara Palumbo posted a condolence
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Uncle Bob was a wonderful man....loved God, people, nature,sports, coaching, teaching. He was a great MHS and WVU fan. He got me to appreciate WVU Women's Basketball, Wrestling and Women's Gymnastics.
Most of all he cared for everybody and only spoke well of everyone. He was a great friend and role model for me...walked the walk of living the Christian life. He hardly ever missed Mass. He helped me so much after my mom passed...taught me how to "carry on" and to never give up.
He will be missed by many...So I say...hats off to you Coach...you fought the good fight...now enjoy your rewards! Love you forever, Barbara
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Connie Herd Nagy posted a condolence
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Bob,was the most gentle sole and I was happy to have known him and Ann. Bobby I hope you remember my family we adored you. Bless you and your family.
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Stacy Godwin posted a condolence
Saturday, August 3, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have a lot of memories Mr. DeAntonis growing up as neighbors. Keep the memories close and he will be with you always.
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Janet Kennedy posted a condolence
Saturday, August 3, 2019
My biggest memory was in Driver Ed. Crazy me had eaten a hot dog for breakfast. I got sick in the class . He told me I could not leave, I would be ok. About that time I turned around and upchucked. He said you can leave now, and the class got dismissed too. My fault not his. He was a good man. Well loved and respected.
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Janet Kennedy lit a candle
Saturday, August 3, 2019
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The family of Robert Thomas DeAntonis uploaded a photo
Saturday, August 3, 2019
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153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 | Phone: (304) 292-8664 | Email: hastingsfuneralhome@gmail.com
