Robert DiBianco
December 8, 1953 — April 30, 2024
Fayetteville
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Past Services
Visitation
Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service
Thursday, May 30, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Robert DiBianco
Robert DiBianco, aged 70, devoted father, grandfather, brother, and friend, peacefully passed away surrounded by love at Autumn Care of Fayetteville on April 30, 2024, after bravely battling stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
Born in Trenton, NJ, Robert, affectionately known as "Bob" or "Bobby" by loved ones, was the son of the late Robert "Dibby" DiBianco (d. 2004) and Beatrice "Bridgie" DiBianco (d. 2015). Alongside his sister, Vickie, the DiBianco family relocated to Yardville, NJ in the 1960s.
In his youth, Bobby found joy in playing baseball, listening to rock n’ roll (especially as a major Rolling Stones fan), drumming, occasional races with friends’ fast cars, and, above all, attending numerous unforgettable outings at Yankee Stadium as an avid fan.
Robert graduated from Hamilton High West in 1970. In 1973, he married Joan De Lucia (d. 1999), and together they resided in Trenton for 12 years. During this time, they began their family, adopting two children from Bogota, Colombia, Heather and Lance, born in 1979 and 1982, respectively. The family later moved to neighboring Hamilton Square, NJ in 1985.
For over 30 years, Robert co-owned and operated Dress Rite Cleaners’ two stores in Burlington, NJ. As one of the area’s first and oldest dry cleaners, alongside his late father-in-law, Frank De Lucia (d. 1992), he garnered immense respect and love from many loyal customers. Robert worked no less than 10 hours a day, six days a week, only taking a week's vacation each July to unwind in Atlantic City, enjoying some much-needed sun, a friendly blackjack game, and a live show by a main headliner.
As a father, Robert dedicated all his free time and support to his kids, attending and encouraging his children in every game, dance recital, musical and military graduation. As a small token of gratitude for all this and more, his children purchased Yankees Bleacher section season tickets from 2008-2012 for him to attend games. While it may have required him to travel 2 hours each way by train after long workdays, he always fondly reminisced about those experiences with his friends, family and customers.
In later years, Robert faced the untimely passing of his wife, Joan, in 1999, the closure of Dress Rite Cleaners in 2005, and subsequent health challenges. With the encouragement of his children, he relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina, in January 2019, to be near his son Lance, daughter-in-law Alexa, and their soon-to-be-born first child, who would be named Robert. Though moving to a new state after 66 years was a big change, Robert embraced his new life, relishing Sunday family meals, playtime with his grandchild, and the companionship of the family’s cherished schnauzers, Baxter and Bridget.
From 2021 until his passing, Robert resided at Autumn Care of Fayetteville, a long-term nursing facility, following a major stroke. Despite hopeful signs during rehabilitation, dementia led to a remarkable decline over the last 18 months.
He is survived by his two children, Lance DiBianco of Fayetteville and Heather DiBianco of Brooklyn, NY; daughter-in-law Alexa DiBianco; two grandchildren, Robert Charles and Giovanna Maria DiBianco; one sister, Victoria Ayres of Roebling, NJ; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Friends and family are invited to attend a brief memorial service on Thursday, May 30, from 4-6 PM at the Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory, 610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville. A celebration of life will also be held on August 2 in Hamilton, NJ, with additional details forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Robert’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Born in Trenton, NJ, Robert, affectionately known as "Bob" or "Bobby" by loved ones, was the son of the late Robert "Dibby" DiBianco (d. 2004) and Beatrice "Bridgie" DiBianco (d. 2015). Alongside his sister, Vickie, the DiBianco family relocated to Yardville, NJ in the 1960s.
In his youth, Bobby found joy in playing baseball, listening to rock n’ roll (especially as a major Rolling Stones fan), drumming, occasional races with friends’ fast cars, and, above all, attending numerous unforgettable outings at Yankee Stadium as an avid fan.
Robert graduated from Hamilton High West in 1970. In 1973, he married Joan De Lucia (d. 1999), and together they resided in Trenton for 12 years. During this time, they began their family, adopting two children from Bogota, Colombia, Heather and Lance, born in 1979 and 1982, respectively. The family later moved to neighboring Hamilton Square, NJ in 1985.
For over 30 years, Robert co-owned and operated Dress Rite Cleaners’ two stores in Burlington, NJ. As one of the area’s first and oldest dry cleaners, alongside his late father-in-law, Frank De Lucia (d. 1992), he garnered immense respect and love from many loyal customers. Robert worked no less than 10 hours a day, six days a week, only taking a week's vacation each July to unwind in Atlantic City, enjoying some much-needed sun, a friendly blackjack game, and a live show by a main headliner.
As a father, Robert dedicated all his free time and support to his kids, attending and encouraging his children in every game, dance recital, musical and military graduation. As a small token of gratitude for all this and more, his children purchased Yankees Bleacher section season tickets from 2008-2012 for him to attend games. While it may have required him to travel 2 hours each way by train after long workdays, he always fondly reminisced about those experiences with his friends, family and customers.
In later years, Robert faced the untimely passing of his wife, Joan, in 1999, the closure of Dress Rite Cleaners in 2005, and subsequent health challenges. With the encouragement of his children, he relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina, in January 2019, to be near his son Lance, daughter-in-law Alexa, and their soon-to-be-born first child, who would be named Robert. Though moving to a new state after 66 years was a big change, Robert embraced his new life, relishing Sunday family meals, playtime with his grandchild, and the companionship of the family’s cherished schnauzers, Baxter and Bridget.
From 2021 until his passing, Robert resided at Autumn Care of Fayetteville, a long-term nursing facility, following a major stroke. Despite hopeful signs during rehabilitation, dementia led to a remarkable decline over the last 18 months.
Throughout his final weeks, Robert was lovingly supported bedside by his two children and received an outpouring of well-wishes and love from family and friends near and far. His warmth, positive spirit, quiet demeanor, selflessness and generosity will not be forgotten.
He is survived by his two children, Lance DiBianco of Fayetteville and Heather DiBianco of Brooklyn, NY; daughter-in-law Alexa DiBianco; two grandchildren, Robert Charles and Giovanna Maria DiBianco; one sister, Victoria Ayres of Roebling, NJ; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Friends and family are invited to attend a brief memorial service on Thursday, May 30, from 4-6 PM at the Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory, 610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville. A celebration of life will also be held on August 2 in Hamilton, NJ, with additional details forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Robert’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert DiBianco, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, May 30, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service
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