Robert Sharkey

Robert “Bob” Sharkey, 78 of Toms River passed away peacefully surrounded by love on Saturday, January 18, at home. Bob was born in New Brunswick and grew up in Highland Park where his days were full of family and fun. He attended school at St. Peter’s Elementary and Highland Park High School where he was a member of the 1959 state champion track & field team. After graduating high school Bob enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Forrest Royale and was deployed in the Meditteranean Sea. During his time in the navy he traveled to many countries and would share stories of his adventures and experiences. He was honorably discharged in 1961. He moved with his parents Jack & Blanche Sharkey to Toms River in 1962. He and his father opened Point Importers of Brick/Point Pleasant. After many years as the owner/operator he was looking for a change. His work on cars was not done yet however. After retiring from proprietorship he was hired by the Monmouth County Vocational School District as an auto mechanics teacher. He went into this new career a little nervous but it was truly his calling. Working with at risk students, troubled teens, and kids who just didn’t know what or where they were going in life brought out the best in him. He was a tough teacher and demanded a lot from his students but he was well loved and respected by all. He retired in July, 2004. Bob was actively involved in his daughters’ sports. He was a team coach as well as the club head coach and served as both vice-president and president of the original Toms River Youth Soccer Club. Throughout his tenure in these positions he organized tournaments, fundraisers, club picnics, and many events, all for the enjoyment and benefit of the kids. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #129 of Toms River. Bob loved all sports, Nascar, old corvettes, fishing and boating. He passed many of these loves on to his beloved daughters Robin & Eileen. He was adored by them and was lovingly nicknamed “Bud” in his later years. He loved nothing more than watching his girls play the sports they loved. He was proud of their accomplishments and proudest of the three grandchildren they gave him. CJ, Erin, & Emily were his pride and joy. “Bud” loved a good summer barbeque and spending time with his friends and family. He could always be found with a crowd of people around him. Fishing with his grandkids, spending vacations in the Outer Banks and Lake George, sitting by the river with his newspaper, making his wooden christmas trees and snowmen, making fishing plugs and gifting them to family and friends, tinkering with something in the garage or on the boat were just some of the things he enjoyed doing. His greatest love though was his wife of almost 51 years, Betty. The two of them had a devotion and commitment to each other few are lucky to experience. Over the years they were always there for one another and built an amazing family foundation together. “Love outlasts time”. Surviving Bob is his wife Elizabeth Reilly Sharkey,Toms River; daughter Robin Sharkey Beaudry, Toms River; daughter Eileen & son-in-law Lee Evans, Manahawkin; sister-in-law Pat & husband Greg Purnell and family, Toms River; sister-in-law Alicia Belford and family, Jackson; cousin Jean & husband Michael MacDonald and family, Manasquan; and his beloved grandchildren, Christopher-Jon Sharkey Beaudry, Erin Eileen Beaudry, & Emily Elizabeth Evans. He also leaves behind many loving friends. He was predeceased by his parents Jack & Blanche Sharkey. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 24, 5:00-8:00 pm at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd. Toms River. A Funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, January 25, 9:30 am at St. Justin the Martyr Church, Fischer Blvd. Toms River. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name would be appreciated to POAC 1989 Rte. 88 Brick, NJ 08724, Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Central Jersey 1433 Hooper Ave. Toms River, NJ 08753, or Toms River Field of Dreams 1358 Hooper Ave. Box 252 Toms River, NJ 08753 Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.