HOLMOK, Robert E.

Robert (Bob) E. HOLMOK, age 84, peacefully entered eternal rest at home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, July 24th , 2022. Loving and devoted husband of 62 years, he is survived by his wife Virginia E. (Ginny) Holmok (nee Ewolski). Loving father of Cheryl Maloney (Thomas), Susan Franczak (Thomas), Robert (Katherine), and Holly Buenger (Andrew). Proud grandfather of Siobhan, Aisling, Elizabeth, Brianna, Mairead, Jaclyn, Joseph, Bethany, Bennett (deceased), Lindsay, Aubrey, and Robert. Great-Grandfather of 9. Survived by his sister Patricia Waites (Jerry deceased). Preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Nancy Holmok. US Navy Veteran, Member of the Pipe Fitters Local 120 for over 60 years.

Visitation at the Zabor Funeral Home, 5680 Pearl Rd., Parma, OH 44129 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, July 27th, 2022. Please meet at church for the Funeral Mass at St. Anthony Of Padua Catholic Church, 6750 State Rd, Parma, OH 44134  at 9:00am on Thursday, July 28th , 2022, followed by Interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, Ohio. Bus transportation for the guests will be provided.  To read more about Bob’s incredible life and to offer condolences visit www.zaborfh.com. 

Bob was born in 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Eddie and Nancy Holmok, and has resided in Parma for over 60 years. He met his lifelong sweetheart Virginia, when she was a mere 13 and he was 16. They had an amazing chemistry and fell deeply in love marrying in 1959. Anyone who knew them through their 62 beautiful years of marriage knew that Bob cherished her so dearly and would do anything for her, and that he was her world. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Skywatcher as a 3 rd Class Petty Officer and remained dear friends with his ship mate, Ken Harold (Shorty). In his later years as a proud VET he wore his Navy Veteran hat wherever he went. Bob worked for over 60 years as a pipe fitter, with local 120, he was an extremely hard worker and as foreman demanded the same of those who worked under him, earning him the knick name “Horrible” on the job. Bob was a true Patriarch of the family, protecting and providing for them in countless, selfless ways. He always wanted lots of children, and was the best daddy ever to Cheryl, Susan, Bobby and Holly. They learned to love from this man and his example lives on in their hearts.

He had a larger than life personality; and did absolutely everything in a big way, from cooking a lasagna that was 5 inches deep that could feed the neighborhood, to making Christmas trees through the roof, to his 12 ft deep pool in the back yard, or hoisting two work trailers together with a crane to create an amazing house at the farm. He was multi talented and creative from competitive skating, to painting, and leaded glass work, he could do anything he set his mind to doing and was always up for trying new things. He was a jack of all trades and there was nothing he could not fix or build, and was always the first one to lend a hand to any neighbor in need. Throughout his life he lived with an adventurous spirit. He was an avid sportsman, fishing, hunting moose in Canada, Elk in Colorado and Bear in Maine, and making his own muzzle loader gun (Elvira). He took such joy in spending time on his property (The Farm) in Coshocton where he hunted for deer and turkeys. He welcomed and shared this special retreat with countless friends, and family, making lasting memories.

In most recent years he especially enjoyed going out for breakfast with his friends, a good cup of coffee, having his grass freshly cut, cherry milkshakes, hanging out with the dogs, and sitting by his pool watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren swim and play. As a diehard Browns fan, one of his favorite past times was hanging out with his son and grandson watching the games.