In Memoriam: Red Bank Native, 50-Year Fireman, Bob Talerico, 85

Red Bank native, longtime Red Bank Fire Department member and Red Bank High School graduate, Robert Talerico, passed peacefully on May 18 surrounded by his loving family. He was 85.

Robert was born on Sept. 6,1940 at his family home in Red Bank, delivered by his aunt, who was a midwife. He was the son of Fraucesco (Frank) and Maria C. (Caragliano) Talerico.

“This began his lifetime love of Red Bank. Bob lived a life centered on family, service and community. He attended the Red Bank schools, graduating in 1958 from (then) Red Bank High School. He served on the reunion committee for years so he could stay in touch with his classmates …

“Bob joined the Red Bank Fire Department in 1973. He went through the leadership ranks at Navesink Hook & Ladder Co. and eventually served as chief of the department in 1994. He proudly volunteered as an active member for over 50 years. He loved everything about serving as a fireman and the service to the community and camaradery it offered.”
Loved ones of Bob Talerico in his obituary

Bob joined the U.S. Navy in 1959 was honorably discharged in 1963. He was always a proud veteran and attended several reunions with other shipmates of the USS Fort Snelling. He returned to Red Bank after his service in the Navy and then dedicated 34 years to the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 1998.

Bob met his beloved wife Bonnie (Nortz) while working at the Post Office. They married in 1969 and together they raised their two children, Robert Jr. and Ann Marie in Red Bank.

“During these years, Bob worked the early shift at the PO so he could serve as a youth coach for Little League baseball and soccer teams in town. He volunteered as an assistant leader of the Boy Scout Troup with his son and he also participated in sporting events with his daughter at the YMCA. He showed his unwavering support and presence at his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events throughout their school years. As everyone knows, he was a diehard Yankees and Jet fan throughout his life.”

Soon after his retirement from the Post Office, Bob started a second career working for the Borough of Red Bank in the Fire Marshal’s Office. He inspected commercial buildings in Red Bank for 14 years.

Bob was predeceased by: his parents, Frank and Maria Talerico; his brothers, Bruno, and Frank and his wife, Jean; and his beloved uncle, Dominic Caragliano, who brought his mother’s family from Italy to the U.S.

He is survived by: his loving wife of 57 years, Bonnie; his children, Robert Talerico Jr, wife, Kristina, and their daughter, Ashley, Ann Marie and her children, Lauren and Liam Airey; his nephews, Joseph Talerico and his family, Donald Talerico and his family, their mother Teri Greene and his nephew, Steven Talarico. He also leaves behind all the Nortz family, who embraced him as one of their own.

His family would like to thank his Home Health Aids Jack and Shay and his dedicated Physical Therapist Marve, and his sitter Lisa, all who helped navigate his courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, on Wednesday, May 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 9:30 a.m. at St. James RC Church and burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown will follow services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Navesink Hook & Ladder Co. (of the Red Bank Fire Department). Donations may be made via Venmo at @RBFD-Ladder91 or via mail to Navesink Hook & Ladder Co of The Red Bank Fire Department at 7-9 Mechanic Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home