Robert P. Atkinson, Jr. age 90, born January 11, 1931, passed away October 5, 2021. Bob was receiving Hospice Care at the home of his youngest daughter, Thea Watson(Tony). He was born into an Irish Catholic Family in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Robert and Octavia "Rose" Atkinson, the oldest of three brothers and a half sister who preceded him in death, Edward Atkinson (Jan), Ronald Atkinson (Dorothy), and Esther Enjaian (Mike). He was a devoted loving husband of 44 years to the late Geraldine (Gerry) R. Atkinson who died in 2017. Bob grew up and raised his own family in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He graduated from Holy Name High School. Bob served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He received the following honors, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. Bob married Nancy Steele (deceased) in 1955. They had five children, Michael, Teresa Brand, Barbara Bodanyi, Thea Watson (Tony), and Steven Atkinson (deceased). After a divorce in 1964, Bob raised their five children on his own for nine years with patience, compassion, kindness and commitment. He met the Love of his Life, Gerry, at a PWP dance. After many more dates and lots of dancing, they were married in December 1973. Bob became Step Father to Gerry's five children, Karen Sansone, Michael (Mick) Adams (deceased) (Pam Drottar), Swan Bender, Jeffrey Adams (deceased), and Richard Adams. Bob was a Beloved Grandpa and Great Grandpa to many. He retired from General Motors Corp. after 37 years of service. He was a Lifetime Member of Berea Elks, Volunteered at the Louis Stokes VA Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio and the VA Wheelchair Olympics. Many fond memories were made during Family Camping trips at October Hill. Bob was a Lifetime Fan of the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns. He was actually at the NFL Championship that the Browns Won in 1964. He enjoyed playing softball and golf in his younger days and became a Jigsaw Puzzle Master in his 80's. In spite of the many hardships and losses in his life, Bob remained a man of Strong Faith, Compassion, Patience, Forgiveness, and Kindness. He looked for the good in others, and Always Celebrated the Joy in His Life! A MEMORIAL MASS will be held10:00am on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 at ST. MARY OF THE FALLS CHURCH, OLMSTED FALLS, OHIO. BURIAL will be at 1:30(MUST ARRIVE by 1:15) at OHIO WESTERN RESERVE NATIONAL CEMETERY, Rittman Ohio. In lieu of flowers, MEMORIALS may be made to ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION or LOUIS STOKES VA HOSPITAL in CLEVELAND.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Robert P. Atkinson, Jr., please visit our floral store.