Robert J. "Bobby" Rita

April 4, 1942 - March 16, 2021

Robert J. "Bobby" Rita, Sr., 78 years of age, a longtime Tamaqua resident, and recent guest of Maple Shade Senior Living of Nesquehoning passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at St. Luke's University Hospital Bethlehem. Born Saturday, April 4, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. the son of the late John G., and Angeline (Morfy) Rita. Bob was also predeceased by his wife Mary E. (Haggerty) Rita on July 13, 1990; sister, Anita D. Moyer on September 16, 1997. Surviving are; daughter, Kristen "Krissy" Rita of Portland, OR, sons, Robert “Bobo” J. Rita, Jr. and his wife Jacqueline of Annville, Anthony "Tony" Rita and his wife SueAnne of Garnet Valley; brother, John G. Rita and his wife Martha Jane of Hershey; grandchildren, Jacob, Benjamin, and Erica; nieces, nephews, and his dear friend Chloe Gayda. A graduate of Tamaqua High School, Bob served honorably in the Army National Guard. He worked for the former Atlas Powder Company of Reynolds for over 30 years. Bobby was a member of St. John XXIII R.C.C. of Tamaqua, the South Ward Fire Company, Tamaqua Italian Club, and Coaldale Lions Club. An ardent supporter of Tamaqua Sports, Bobby was a member of the chain gang working home football games for the Blue Raiders, and was a former member of the Tamaqua Football Booster having spent countless hours in the French Fry stand on Friday night home games. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550 A visitation will occur on Saturday morning March 20, 2021 from the funeral home 10:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 o'clock noon from St. John XXIII R.C.C. 307 Pine Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. Interment will be in St. Jerome's R.C. C. Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Memorials in his name to: American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005 Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com