Robert Anthony Spagna

Robert Anthony Spagna

January 3, 1933–Jan. 1, 2026

In his quiet room at assisted living Corrigan Place, Robert Anthony “Bob” Spagna, 92, died peacefully with family at his side on Jan. 1, 2026, a couple of days shy of his 93rd birthday. Bob was born on Jan. 3, 1933 in Corona, Queens, N.Y. to Anna and Dominick Spagna. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, which is how he traveled the world and learned to drive a bulldozer before he learned to drive a car. He served from Aug. 11, 1950 through July 11, 1952 and finished his service as a corporal and a Korean War veteran. His family can confirm that the saying is true: Once a Marine, always a Marine.

After the military, he went to school to learn the art of printing, using mechanical presses to produce products such as letterhead stationery, advertisements, and event programs, which he went on to do professionally, first for a company in Manhattan called ABP and then out of his basement as a side gig. At a CYO dance in 1958, Bob met Josephine “Jo” Spera, and he proposed to her three weeks later. They were married May 30, 1959, lived in Bayside and then Corona, Queens, and had two daughters.

In 1966, Bob accepted a clerk position with the United States Postal Service. In 1980, he moved his family to Port Richey, FL and transferred from the Post Office on Main St. in Flushing to the Tampa Airport Post Office. In his younger years, he was a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church in Corona and a member of a bowling league. He routinely attended church socials and dances with his wife and enjoyed the occasional deep sea fishing trip. Throughout his life, he enjoyed casino trips and card games with his wife, friends, and brothers.

He also had an affinity for doing yard work, gardening, and growing fruit trees. His grandkids have fond memories of sitting in the shade of his orange tree and of picking oranges with him in the back yard. They have never forgotten the fun they had when he’d tow them over waves in an inflatable boat at the beach, the surprise trip he took them on to Toys R Us, or how at family dinners, they’d have to sit on either side of him (to prevent the inevitable fight over who would get to sit next to him).

Bob retired in 1998 after 32 years with the USPS. In retirement, he enjoyed several years of travel and leisure. He was a longtime parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Port Richey, a husband for 63 years, a dad who taught his kids to defend themselves and others, and a beloved grandfather. Anyone who knew him would describe him as tough, as a fighter, and as one of the funniest people you could meet. He is survived by daughters Linda Spenceley (Steve) and Laura Cook (Royce Brown); grandchildren Michael Spenceley (Danna) and Arleen Babino (Nick); sisters-in-law Concetta Toscano and Mary DiNoto (Frank), and loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Jo Spagna; his sister Lucille; brothers Raymond, Donald, and Sonny; in-laws Vincent Spera, Tony Nieto, Helen Spagna, Joan Spagna, Louie Toscano, Michael and Anna Spera, and Gerry Doran; two nieces; a great-nephew; and two great-grandchildren who were “carried for a moment but loved for a lifetime.”

Please consider making a donation in Bob’s memory to one of the following causes: the St. Vincent de Paul Society (http://svdphernando.org/howyoucanhelp.php); the St. Gianna Center, in thanksgiving for the care they have provided to Bob’s granddaughter (https://stgiannacenter.com); or the Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org).