Obituary of Robert S. Crothers

“Firefighters never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved” Robert S. Crothers, 94 Years of Service and Honor Bob Crothers passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 30th at 10 am the Denville Community Church, 190 Diamond Spring Rd. Interment to follow at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover. Friends, fans and relatives may visit on Sunday, January 29th from 2-6 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville. Donations in his name may be made to the good work of the Denville Fire Department by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org. Bob was born in Jersey City to the late Robert and Mae and summered in the Indian Lake Section of Denville. After his schooling, he proudly served our country as a naval aircraft mechanic with the United States Navy during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to the states and married his sweetheart Jeanne Donohue. The couple settled in Denville where they started their family. Bob joined the Denville Fire Department, dedicating much of his time to this community. Eventually, he took on the role of Chief and in his later years stayed active with the Denville FD Association. He also served as past Commander of the VFW Post 2519 and was active with Masonic Lodge St. John's No. 1 F. & A. M. Bob worked as an electrical engineer for many years, retiring from Picatinny Arsenal in 1988. Not one to sit still, he quickly went to work for Denville Township as a supervisor for the Norton sewer project. When he wasn’t at home, or his 2nd home (the firehouse), he could be found around town helping others or driving his motorcycle. Not only a fixture and pillar of this community, Bob was also a voice. Every summer, the Firemans’ Carnival would kick off and Bob could be heard over the fields on the loudspeakers. He wore many hats in his life, but he was happiest to sport the one that read Dad & Grandpa. He so enjoyed being surrounded by his family. He was the proud Grandpa of 20, always speaking of them wherever he went. Most recently, he had graduated to the title of Great Grandpa to 7 little ones. This dedicated Patriarch surely will be missed and honored for years to come. Predeceased by his loving wife Jean and his sister Gladys Carrell; he leaves happy and funny memories to his children Barbara Marvel (Jim), Robert (Liz), Jane Jones (Roger), James (Marie), Doro Flynn (Kevin) and Carol Tomensky (Matt); twenty adoring grandchildren Jimmy Marvel (Christina), Jeanne Marvel, Jessica Brandstetter (Sean), Amanda Fink (Michael), Michael Crothers (Vicki), Bobby Jones (Lindsay), Patricia Boyko (Jason), Steven Jones, Dennis Crothers (Brittany), Rachel Crothers, Robbie Crothers, Heather Macaluso (Franco), Courtney Koteras (Dan), Jennifer Troast (Winston), Bryan Troast, Andrew Troast ( Jensin), Melissa Ardolino (Anthony), Tommy, Scott and Travis Tomensky; great grandchildren Aiden, Riley, Mackenzie, Dylan, Gavin, Brady and Ellie; nieces Carlyle, Candace and Courtney; and many more dear relatives, friends and respected fire fighters. “Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death, can erase our good deeds. –Buddha”