Robert James “Bob” Gentile, 93, a lifelong resident of Kenosha, WI, went to his eternal home on December 26, 2024, at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital, surrounded by his loving daughters.
Born in Kenosha, on January 1, 1931, he was the son of the late Leoferno and Rose (Savaglio) Gentile. At the young age of 15, Bob entered St. Francis Seminary for his education. Bob spent six and half years at St. Francis and then decided to enter the workforce. His first jobs were in retail in downtown Milwaukee and Chicago. He enjoyed living in and visiting big cities.
During his professional career, Bob was employed by American Motors Corporation, Outboard Marine Company as Supervisor of Collections, and in retirement at Guaranty Bank as a teller.
Bob served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 stationed in Stuttgart, Germany working in the Post Office. He was honorably discharged. While stationed in Stuttgart, Bob took every opportunity to travel in Europe on the weekends and still talked about all the foods he would try without knowing what they were because the menus were in a different language.
Bob returned to Kenosha and met the love of his life, Rosalie Christine Rizzo, at the Italian American Club. After five years of courtship, Bob and Rosalie were married on November 24, 1960, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on August 18, 2020.
Bob and Rosalie were deeply devoted to Holy Rosary Parish and their faith. They loved celebrating mass and participating in the liturgy. Together they enjoyed vibrant fellowship and volunteering at bingo, HR Festivals, spaghetti dinners, auctions, the Holy Name and much more. Bob served on the first Holy Rosary Parish Council. He coordinated and coached a team of volunteers as the Head Decorator of the Church. He loved preparing and executing the decor for each liturgical season. Through all these activities Bob had a network of friends that spanned many generations.
Bob and Rosalie were named Affiliate members of the Augustinian Order on March 13, 2002, as a mark of their gratitude for their generous and faithful service of the Holy Rosary Parish.
Bob and Rosalie enjoyed entertaining and providing the most delicious meals to family and friends in their home and at the condo in Chicago. They sustained a bread baking operation to drive fund raising at Holy Rosary events. Bob continued this practice to honor Rosalie. He mixed by hand a double or triple batch so he would always have something to give to friends and family who visited.
At 90 years old Bob decided to learn how to use a computer so he could write a book about the Rizzo and Gentile family histories. The Mas and the Pas was published in 2023 which led to Bob celebrating the accomplishment as a published author with a book signing that July. Bob enthusiastically promoted his book with the intention of connecting people throughout the community and sharing the history of how Kenosha became a multi-cultural city.
Survivors include his four daughters, Lisa (Roy Stone) Gentile of Kenosha, Carla (Brandon Day) Gentile and Maria (Hayley Brebner) Gentile, both of Los Angeles, CA, and Sabrina Gentile of Madison; two grandsons, Michael (Maria Alejandra Lacaze) Davey and Dominic Gentile; two great-grandsons, Leo and John; Bob was also very close with his two special nieces, Rhonda Rizzo and Mari Cucunato; and his brother Peter Gentile and cousin-brother Victor Gentile. He is further survived by other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and many other relatives including his sister AnnaMarie Andreucci.
The family would like to thank the medical team at Froedtert South for providing their medical excellence and sincere comfort to Bob.
Prayers will be held at Proko Funeral Home on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, January 9th, at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2224 45th St., at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place immediately following at St. George Cemetery with Full Military Honors. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Proko Funeral Home. Memorials to Holy Rosary Parish or a charity of your choosing in Bob’s name would be appreciated by the family.
