Bob Cecchini

Bob Cecchini, a life long educator and union leader, passed away on May 29, 2023 at home at the age of 72.

Born on April 30, 1951, to the late Samuel & Grace (nee: Carbone) Cecchini, he was raised and educated in Jersey City.  He attended PS24, Snyder High School, and graduated from New Jersey City University.  He was a special education teacher for 35 years until he retired in 2011. Bob was active in the teachers’ union for his entire career.  Bob started as a union representative, then grievance chairman and lastly vice president and chief negotiator for the Jersey City Education Association.  Throughout his career he negotiated teacher contracts.  He listened to the teachers’ concerns and solved their issues with professional grace and intelligence.  His guidance, leadership and fearless personality allowed him to help the large district of Jersey City Public Schools.

Bob was married for 33 years to the love of his life Margie and devoted father to his sweet Maggie.  He was a spiritual man who prayed to Padre Pio who watched over him.  Bob also joined the virtual mass at Holy Rosary weekly.   The love and comfort he felt from his online church friends was something he cherished. 

Bob enjoyed cooking and reading about different restaurants.  This stemmed from him having a restaurant, The Little Garden, one summer early in his teaching career.  His favorite pastime was playing the horses and watching sports especially baseball and football.  His favorite teams were the Mets and Chicago Bears.  He rooted for the underdog and always kept that glimmer of hope that they would win. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Margie, his daughter Maggie, his brother Perry & wife Denise and his Aunt Theresa Soriero.   He is also survived by his special nieces Alexa Ciccone & her husband Anthony and Gianna Pilalis & her husband Niko.  In addition, Bob is survived by his cherished in laws; Ruth DeSanto, Robert Penney, William Penney, Janet Bauer, Helen Matta, Mary O’Gara & Catherine Penney.  He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company (www.riottofh.com), 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306 (For GPS Navigation, it is best to use our parking lot entrance address: 14 Stagg St., Jersey City).

The Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 344 Sixth St., Jersey City. (Parking available at the two parking lots on the corner of 6th & Brunswick Sts).   Mausoleum Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington. 

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the National Padre Pio Shine (www.PadrePio.org) or to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (www.PDJF.org)