Robert J. "Bob" Salerno, Sr.

Mr. Robert J. “Bob” Salerno, Sr., 77 of Waterbury passed away Tuesday March 7, 2023 at Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Lauren (Bove) Salerno and the late Jane (Ackerman) Salerno.

Bob was born August 18, 1945 in Waterbury the son of the late Sam and Elizabeth (Sechow) Salerno and was a lifelong Waterbury resident. He attended Waterbury schools and was a graduate of Croft High School. Bob was a jeweler by trade, and an entrepreneur who owned his business (R Jacob Jewelers) in Middlebury. He also worked for M.A. Green in Waterbury as well as Raymond’s Jewelers in Watertown during his lifetime. He had many hobbies and loved to travel. He loved concerts, plays, and music festivals. He enjoyed travelling and loved his time with his son and son-in-law in Disney World.

Who doesn’t love Bob?! Bob was a gentle and generous soul. If you have met Bob only once, you would never forget him. If you knew him for life, you could consider yourself blessed. Bob first and foremost was a family man. He welcomed old and new family with open arms. His first wife Jane and daughter Kathleen meant the world to him. Losing them was a difficult thing to cope with. With the help of his Son Robert Salerno Jr, loving sister Geri, friends, and his new love Lauren, he was able to bounce back and gain his zest for life again. “We mourn his presence here with us especially as a guiding force in our lives”.  

Besides his wife Lauren, he leaves his son, Robert J. Salerno, Jr. and his husband Andrew Gratuito of Terryville and his sisters, Geri Thomas of Waterbury and Linda Salerno of Massachusetts. In addition to his first wife Jane, he was predeceased by his daughter Kathleen Salerno. Thanks to all the staff at Hartford HealthCare at Home for all the caring and support.