Obituary for Robert Gushue
Robert L. Gushue of St. James passed away on April 22, 2021 at Stony Brook Hospital, from complications of a pulmonary embolism. He was 69. His larger-than-life persona will not soon be forgotten.
Born to Francis and Helen Gushue, Bob grew up in Levittown with his brother Frank, and two sisters, Sharon, and Debbie. Bob attended CW Post where he met his first wife, Linda Pinnella. Bob and Linda raised three children for whom his love was profound. Bob is survived by his son, Dennis Gushue (married to Heather ); and two daughters, Nicole Gurga (married to Dawid) and Jenna Gushue. He was a devoted coach to his children and countless other youths on and off the soccer field. He married JoAnn Brandes in 2007 and gained a stepson, Abe. Together Bob and JoAnn enjoyed the five grandchildren, Mariana, Lily, Ali, Alek, and Cassidy. They all adored their “Pop-pop.”
Bob loved wildly inappropriate jokes as much as he loved summer surf days in Montauk. He was a musician at heart and had a guitar in hand through most of his life, bringing those around him together with song. He famously toured as a roadie for the Allman Brothers (from whom he also derived his fashion sense) and reminisced fondly of working the stage at Woodstock.
Bob and wife JoAnn enjoyed singing together, dancing lessons, traveling extensively, and shared their love of gardening as evidenced by their arboretum like yard. His love was patient, kind, honest, forgiving, and constant. Bob loved life and taught his family to laugh at the days to come. He will be warmly remembered for his quick wit, puns, enormous personality, boisterous laugh, and love of black-and-white “pop-pop” cookies.
Born to Francis and Helen Gushue, Bob grew up in Levittown with his brother Frank, and two sisters, Sharon, and Debbie. Bob attended CW Post where he met his first wife, Linda Pinnella. Bob and Linda raised three children for whom his love was profound. Bob is survived by his son, Dennis Gushue (married to Heather ); and two daughters, Nicole Gurga (married to Dawid) and Jenna Gushue. He was a devoted coach to his children and countless other youths on and off the soccer field. He married JoAnn Brandes in 2007 and gained a stepson, Abe. Together Bob and JoAnn enjoyed the five grandchildren, Mariana, Lily, Ali, Alek, and Cassidy. They all adored their “Pop-pop.”
Bob loved wildly inappropriate jokes as much as he loved summer surf days in Montauk. He was a musician at heart and had a guitar in hand through most of his life, bringing those around him together with song. He famously toured as a roadie for the Allman Brothers (from whom he also derived his fashion sense) and reminisced fondly of working the stage at Woodstock.
Bob and wife JoAnn enjoyed singing together, dancing lessons, traveling extensively, and shared their love of gardening as evidenced by their arboretum like yard. His love was patient, kind, honest, forgiving, and constant. Bob loved life and taught his family to laugh at the days to come. He will be warmly remembered for his quick wit, puns, enormous personality, boisterous laugh, and love of black-and-white “pop-pop” cookies.