Robert J. Sanfilippo, age 80, passed away Thursday morning, November 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 30, 1946, to the late John and Anna Sanfilippo. Bob grew up in New Milford, New Jersey, and attended college at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was drafted into the United States Army and became a helicopter pilot. Bob's tour in Vietnam resulted in several silver and bronze medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross. After his time overseas, he returned to Hunter Army Airfield, a chance encounter on St. Patrick's Day led to a romance with Kathleen Powers and a loving marriage of fifty-five years. Bob enrolled at Embry Riddle and completed his degree at Armstrong State College. He became a corporate recruiter for several years and then had a thirty year as an aviation consultant with Landum and Brown in Cincinnati, Ohio. After his retirement in 2013, he and Kathleen moved to Savannah, retirement allowed him to be enthusiastic supporter of his grandchildren's athletic endeavors in multiple sports. Bob was a parishioner of St. James the Less Church, and in addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Margaret and Richard Powers, Elizabeth and Mike Ware, Loretto and Dick Buttimer, Nora Richardson, Peter Farley, and a special niece, Anne Ware Lewis. 

He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen; his devoted daughters and their spouses, Katie and Jon Leonard and Nina and Kevin Collins; his beloved grandchildren, Margaret, John Sawyer, Robert Leonard, Katie Shea and Patrick Collins; his brothers, John and his wife, Pat of Contoocook, New Hampshire, Joseph and his wife, Susan of Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, and Edward and his wife, Linda of Mint Hill, North Carolina; his brother-in-law, Hank Richardson of Atlanta; his bonus brother, Ed Holmes and his wife, Cathy of Savannah, Georgia;  he was a proud uncle of sixteen nieces and nephews; and several godchildren. 

The visitation and memorial service will be held at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Burial will be private at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hospice Savannah.