Robert T. Fox

On December 10, 2018, Robert Thomas Fox, age 75, of Little Ferry, New Jersey passed peacefully in his sleep at home to be embraced by the Heavenly Angels and his loving parents and brother Michael. Robert’s amazing life journey began on June 5, 1943 in a Manhattan hospital when his healthy delivery was marred by a lack of oxygen. As a result, Robert had cerebral palsy- a lifelong condition that prevented him from walking without the assistance of heavy metal leg braces and later confined him to a wheelchair for life. From his wheelchair Robert saw life through his beautiful big green eyes with those envied long lashes. He was granted the special gift of being able to see the world as a wondrous and beautiful place because his heart was pure and innocent like a child’s, while his mind was that of a man. Robert spent the first 16 years of his life living happily on West 47th street in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. There he delighted in his walks with his parents, his growing number of siblings, as well as his Grandma Rose, Grandma Jo, Aunt Terry, Uncle Donald, and Aunt Alice. Oh how they loved him, and he returned that love with the biggest of smiles and heartiest of laughs. Since infancy, Robert had a plaid blue wool fringed baby blanket, which kept him warm all 75 years of his life. Like handsome Robert, the blanket escaped the aging process. Those attending Thursday’s visitation will see that blanket still covering and comforting him. While living in Manhattan, Robert was very fortunate to attend perhaps the first cerebral palsy school in the nation. Because PS 135 was so close to the United Nations Headquarters, Robert reveled in his many class trips there. He was forever grateful for school volunteer, Elaine Terry- who he always called “Mrs. Terry.” She sang to the children with her beautiful voice and played freely with them, always treating them with dignity and respect. Robert was a frequent greeting card writer and he kept in contact with Mrs. Terry this way. He had the immense joy and honor to wish her a happy 100th birthday in October, and she sang to him on the phone, which made Robert very happy. When not in school, Robert frequently pedaled his specially designed bicycle up and down his beloved 47th street. He was initially sad when the growing family moved in 1959 to the town of Little Ferry, New Jersey- a town he learned to cherish. Robert continued his education being taught at home and ultimately earned his high school diploma from Ridgefield Park High School. Robert absolutely loved to sit outside his Grove Street house for hours at a time no matter the weather. He spoke with all who walked by him and who weren’t hesitant to say hello. He watched toddlers become grown-ups, and many never lost contact with him including Jenna Rotondi and Vincent Firullo. Robert later acquired the unofficial title “Mayor of Grove Street” which he cherished and had the title printed on business cards for friends. Every night he wanted to be pushed by the kitchen ramp door right before going to bed and would say, “Goodnight Grove Street”- unofficially closing the street for the night. The residents of Grove Street, including his best friend Jason Byers and George De La Vega, and the late George Firullo, were so much better for having known Robert who was the heart and life of Grove Street. Almost every day Robert could be spotted walking through Little Ferry, and even Moonachie too, pushed by his loving aide and friend, Robertina Sierra. She called him “my boy” and his love for her was immeasurable. When it came to aides, Robert was truly blessed having Marina who called him her brother and made him pancakes every Sunday. He always held a special place for Graciela, Yoselin, Elife, Rosa, and Raysa, just to name a few. Robert was a congregant at St. Margaret’s Church in Little Ferry. He was blessed that he knew so many religious who he loved so much, and they returned that love in kind: Fr. Gallagher, Fr. Carl, Fr. Bauer, Fr. Vincent, Fr. Art, Sister Marjorie, and Sister Dorothy. He developed a special relationship with Reverend Carlos Briceno who will officiate at Robert’s mass on Friday. Robert had too many friends to set forth here, but he received special love from Corrinne and George Wehrle; they are family. And of all things, family was the most important thing to Robert. His love for “Mommy and Daddy” was immense, and these two amazing parents with their deep religious faith can be credited with Robert’s longevity. Robert was the beloved son of Evelyn Rose Fox (nee McCue) and Michael J. Fox who greeted him in heaven. He was the cherished brother of the late Michael R. (late wife Janet), Rosemary Thurston (husband Robert), Eileen Ludwig (late husband Lew), James, Patricia (husband Joseph Citarella), and Joanne Curcio (husband Victor). Robert is survived by many nieces and nephews- Dorothy, Michael, Kevin, Susan, Dennis, Charlotte, Danny, Melissa, Matthew, Julie, and two beagle nieces, Gracie and Scout, who made him very happy. Robert is survived by his adoring Aunt Terry who made him laugh and all the beloved McCue cousins including Terri Ann, Raymond, and Donald. Robert is also survived by his dear loving cousin Michael. Finally, Robert is survived by his Fox cousins John, Joey, and Anne Marie. He was sadly predeceased by his cousin Tommy, but remains close to Tommy’s wife Clare. To all whose hearts are broken, as ours are, we ask you to remember Robert as happy, as never complaining (despite having every right and reason to), and as the Angel he truly was. To quote Robert’s usual inscription in greeting cards: “I love you very much –Robert.” Friends and family are invited for visitation today, from 1-4pm and 7-9pm at Volk Leber Funeral Home, 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ. A funeral service will begin from the funeral home on Friday at 8am and then to St. Margaret’s of Cortona RCC in Little Ferry, NJ for a 9:30am Mass of Christian Burial. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.