Robert A. Pinelli

Robert Anthony “Bob” Pinelli (1933 - 2026) passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, at the age of 92, at his home in Mashpee, Massachusetts.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara Ann Pinelli; his son Robert J. (Lisa Steers) Pinelli; his grandchildren Brandon and Tristan Pinelli; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Michael, and mother, Antoinette; his brother, Vincent, and his brother’s wife, Angela; and his brother Ralph. Bob is also predeceased by his sister-in-law Frances Giuliani; his brother-in-law Joseph Giuliani, Joseph’s wife Rose Marie Giuliani, and Joseph’s son Mark Giuliani; and his brother-in-law Alfred Giuliani.

Bob was an amazing man who from humble beginnings in the Bronx created a career for himself and a comfortable life for his wife and son by virtue of his financial savvy, work ethic, and sense of responsibility. He was a self-made, self-employed TV and radio repairman who worked 6 days a week to provide for his family from the small Bronx repair shop he co-owned with his brother Vincent. He was exceptionally handy and handled many common and not-so-common repairs and upgrades to his home, vehicles, and hobbyist projects. He had a particular aptitude for electrical work and a penchant for retrofitting household appliances with indicator lights he felt were lacking. He was also generous with his time and expertise and helped friends and family alike with television repairs and electrical installations when they were needed.

Bob served 10 honorable years in the New York Army National Guard in the Bronx as a Radio Section Chief while simultaneously working at his TV repair business. He married Barbara Ann Giuliani in 1965 after a long and tenacious courtship, settling in the Westchester County suburb of Harrison, NY. It was in the modest split-level home they bought there that they raised their son, Robert J., and realized their version of the American Dream. Astronomy and science were particular interests of Bob’s; he avidly consumed magazines in those genres, and he owned a Celestron telescope which he liked to pull out from time to time to show guests the wonders of the heavens. Saturn’s rings were always a favorite. Bob shared his passion for discovery of the natural world and technology with his son, who excelled in math and science as a result, eventually sending him off to college and on to a successful adult life and engineering career.

Bob was not one for open sentimentality or maudlin words, except with Barbara Ann, to whom he effusively professed his love daily - but no one in his family would ever doubt his love and affection. He was proud of his son, proud of his grandchildren, and proud of the legacy he created. For better or worse he passed along to his son his sense of humor and inability to take himself too seriously. He was an affable, mild-mannered man who liked to laugh and was always eager to share his wisdom with you – whether it was wise or not, and whether you wanted it or not. But he was always good-natured and never let a philosophical disagreement stand in the way of friendships or being bygones.

Later in life he developed a taste for vodka martinis, attributable to the mildly corrupting influence of his brother-in-law Joe, and no holiday family gathering would be complete without hoisting one to health and happiness. He had an unfortunate fondness for gold lamé tape, which he applied injudiciously and often to the dismay of his wife, but this foible was eclipsed tenfold by his many admirable qualities. His kindness, generosity, frugality, and unwavering love for his family will never be forgotten. His long, fulfilling, successful, and independent-to-the-end life is about as much as anyone could ask for.

Please join our family in raising a toast to a true one-of-a-kind: Bob Pinelli.

A wake service will be held at Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home in Stamford, Connecticut on March 20, 2026 between 4 PM and 8 PM. A funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Stamford, Connecticut on March 21, 2026 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html) in his memory.