Robert A. Tool, Sr

April 21, 1928 – December 30, 2023

If it was wood, Robert could build something out of it: intricately detailed doll houses with authentic replicas of fine furniture to make big and little girls’ dreams come true; scale models of buildings critical for site planning and construction; finish carpentry and cabinets worthy of Home and Gardens; sailboats and kayaks both full-size and scaled-down models as heirlooms for each of the family members to treasure; birdhouses and flower pots and so much more. His woodworking skills began when he was young as he worked with his father and brothers in the boat building business. His love for boats led him to enlist in the Navy at the end of WWII where he served on the destroyer USS Mansfield. As a young father, he worked as a finish carpenter at Dredge Harbor Yacht Basin and for Scarborough homes. When he was a boy, his mother Anna bought him a set of drums. He loved the drums and later brought in a little extra spending money for his young family by playing in a country western band in several local area bars. But, of course, as our dad, entertaining us was his thing, be it with a funny comment, a little dance, his persistent “doo-ta-doo’s”, or just generally lighting up the room with his blue eyes. He loved animals and being a grandfather. His favorite days were when the grands would bring their dogs over to visit. He wasn’t much of a fan of Trump and if his TV was on he’d be watching Survivor, The Bachelor, or several other reality shows.
Robert returned from the service in his dress uniform and those blue eyes and won over a pretty girl named Elfa Termine. Their 72-year marriage was blessed by children, Ellen O’Toole (Shannon Pullaro), Robert Jr (June Cromack), Patricia Tool (Paul Dewey), Steven, and Theresa Tool (Kyle Kershner); and later by grandchildren, Christopher, Robyn, Patrick, Kristen, Hannah, Matthew, Nicholas, and Kevin; and great-grandchildren Stanley, Loraine, Brayden, Easton, Evan, and Cadence.
Come celebrate 95 great years with us on Tuesday, January 9th. There will be reception and viewing from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Resurrection Parish St. Casimir Church, 502 New Jersey Avenue, Riverside NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. followed by Interment at Lakeview Cemetery in Cinnaminson.