Robert A. "Bob" Cardillo, age 72, of Pequannock, passed away peacefully in Hackensack on November 1, 2025.

Born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Bob was the beloved son of the late Yolanda and Serafino "Sonny" Cardillo and the cherished brother of Lorraine Ventiera of New Windsor, NY.

Bob shared forty-four loving and wonderful years of marriage with the love of his life, Rose (La Porta) Cardillo of Pequannock Township, formerly of Brooklyn. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on love, laughter, and family. He was the devoted father of Robert Cardillo and his wife Yolanda of Pequannock Township, Joseph Cardillo and his wife Maria of Brooklyn, and the late Daniel John Cardillo.

"Papa" was especially proud of and deeply adored his grandchildren Adrianna, Roman, and Serafino "Sonny" Cardillo, who were the light of his life and who loved him just as dearly in return. He was also a loving brother-in-law to Angelo La Porta of Hillsborough, NJ, and is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will remember his humor, warmth, and generosity.

Bob spent most of his life in Brooklyn before moving to Pequannock in 2017. He enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in insurance sales with MetLife, before selling to the N.Y.C. Department of Corrections for over thirty years before retiring in 2019.

A lifelong and passionate New York Yankees fan, Bob's favorite player was Mickey Mantle. One of the family's favorite stories to tell was about the Mother's Day when Bob tried to sneak off to Yankee Stadium, only for his mom to stop him, and that just happened to be the day Mantle hit his 500th home run! No one in his family believes that he ever quite forgave her for that, and the story became one of his favorites to retell.

Bob's love for the Yankees ran deep. He knew every stat, every player, and every detail of the team's history. Friends and family loved to joke and call him the Yankees Historian. He even created his very own "Yankee Museum" in his basement, complete with memorabilia, literature, stadium seating, and a replica of the stadium facade.

Bob's passion for baseball extended beyond fandom. He served as the Baseball Commissioner for Our Lady of Grace Athletic Association (OLGAA) in Brooklyn and proudly coached his granddaughter Adrianna's T-ball teams, the Pequannock Peaches and the Pequannock Plums. One of his proudest moments was presenting his son Joseph with his NYC Department of Corrections shield in 2015.

Bob loved and cherished his close childhood friends of over sixty years from where he grew up at the Contello Towers in Brooklyn. Bob arranged parties and get togethers with them as often as possible .His friends meant the world to him and he always spoke of the good times he shared with everyone. 

At home, Bob loved relaxing by the pool or sitting in the driveway with a good cigar, music playing, and the Yankees on in the background. He was the heart of every gathering, the life of the party who loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends.

Bob also created "The Hilton Street Gang,"  a close knit group of neighbors and friends who shared countless dinners, outings, holidays, and celebrations together. He loved hosting barbecues and parties, always manning the grill with a big smile and a bigger laugh. He had a gift for bringing people together, a deep love of good food, and an even greater love of good company.

Bob was truly one of a kind, loyal, generous, full of humor, and full of heart. To know him was to love him. He will be missed beyond measure by all who were lucky enough to call him family and a friend.

Rest easy, "Big Guy."

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 9:15 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Pompton Plains, at 10:00 AM. Committal prayers to follow at Cedar Lawn Crematory, Paterson. Friends may visit on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 2–4 PM and 7–9 PM.