Robert “Bob” Gagliardi, 68, passed away at home on March 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of Guiseppe “Joe” and Julia (Sutton) Gagliardi; husband of Heather Gagliardi; father of Benjamin Gagliardi and Bryn Brindamour and her husband, Daniel; and brother of Joseph Gagliardi, Jr. and his wife Sandra.
Bob and Heather had been together for nearly 50 years and had been married for over 44 years. He graduated from Providence College with a BA in Economics and Business Management, and from Bryant University with an MBA.
In 1979, Bob began his 43 year-career with Gilbane at their BT Equipment location before retiring in 2022 from Gilbane Development. He loved his work in commercial real estate and was a trusted expert in his field. He was focused, honest, driven and forthright, collaborating effectively on numerous projects. During his career, he made lasting friendships, strengthened business partnerships and was dedicated to his Gilbane colleagues.
In 2006, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and it was family, God, work, a determined attitude and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that kept him focused and alive for the next 19 years. With tremendous courage, he endured multiple surgeries, treatments and procedures without complaining.
Bob had an insatiable appetite for knowledge, trivia and history. He enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies such as boating, fishing, cars and podcasts. He especially enjoyed home improvement projects, renovating his children’s homes enthusiastically. Without hesitation, Bob would offer his skills and knowledge to friends and family needing advice.
Bob was the loving brother-in-law of Donna Ayala (Alberto), Wayne DeRosa (Janet), Christopher DeRosa (Doreen) and uncle to Tracey (George), Jason (Malaine), Jeni (George), Melissa (Ed), Daniel, Nicole and the late Jacob, as well as great uncle to many.
His funeral and visitation will be held on Wednesday March 12, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside, RI with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 984 Taunton Ave, Seekonk, MA at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Robert Gagliardi to support lung cancer research may be sent to: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.
