Robert J. Jankowski

Robert J. Jankowski, 71 of Manchester, NH, died on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at his residence in Manchester. Robert was born on January 7, 1947, in Derry, NH the son of Joseph and Helen (Herbut) Jankowski. He grew up in Londonderry, NH very close to the runway of Manchester Airport and resided there for 47 years.

Robert was fondly known as Bob, Bobby and Big Bob. He deeply loved his devoted wife of 53 years, Mary (Zielinski) Jankowski and his children Kimberly Jankowski, Stephen Jankowski and Stephen's wife Kim, and Kevin Jankowski and Kevin's wife Monique. Bob always enjoyed family gatherings and having fun with his grandchildren – Meghan, Mackenzie, Emily, Benjamin and Lydia. His sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cathy and John Foster, were not only relatives but also best friends and they shared many trips, dinners and adventures with Bob and Mary.

Prior to his retirement in 1994, Bob was employed as a foreman for the State of NH, Department of Transportation. He was incredibly hard working and always wanted things done right. During winter storms, he wouldn't sleep until his highways were completely cleared down to the black of the road and safe for everyone to drive. Bob instilled this work ethic in his children and all whom he worked with. For over 15 years, Bob also provided landscaping and handyman services to the Frank Lloyd Wright Zimmerman House and his son Kevin was supported as an artist by the Zimmerman family.

Bob was a prankster, liked bad jokes, gave people bear hugs until they cried uncle, and had a fierce Vulcan grip. He had a number of misadventures in his life from falling off a barn roof, being gored by a bull, trapped by a shed that fell on him, chainsawing his knee, flipped unconscious by a tree, and hit by a car while moving a 'Men at Work' road sign. Every incident became a story in Bob's life.

Baseball was a great love! Bob came from a baseball dynasty and his uncle Ray was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob himself was a star player on a youth team that won the NH State Championship. His son Stephen was also a great player and they cheered on every Red Sox game with his wife Mary and daughter Kimberly. They would do anything to get tickets to see the Sox in Boston.

Bob was very close to his aunts, uncles and cousins in Pennsylvania and made many trips to family reunions where he always returned to NH with his favorite Lebanese bologna and slab bacon. Without his wife Mary's expert navigation, they would never have made it home each time.

Polish food was also a delight and Bob enjoyed pierogies, golombkis, and kielbasa made by his wife and daughter at Christmas and Easter. Closer to home, Bob's favorite restaurants were Bob Loo's, Spats and the Puritan Backroom where he was a regular and life wasn't complete until he had his prime rib and Greek salad.

When Bob and Mary moved to Manchester 23 years ago, they couldn't have asked for better neighbors than Jim and Jean Corbett. They shared yard work, house repairs and provided each other with neighborly support.

As health issues impacted Bob, his wife Mary and daughter Kimberly were extraordinary caregivers and were helped further by his sons Stephen and Kevin and their spouses and children. Bob will always be remembered and will be incredibly missed.

SERVICES: A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 5:00-7:00PM at the Cremation Society of NH, 243 Hanover Street, in Manchester, NH.