Robert Charles "Bob" Moran, 85, of Columbus, N.J., died peacefully at home on Thursday, June 24, with his wife Morna and other family members at his side.
Bob was born in Scranton on March 13, 1936. His parents were John and Margaret Hope Colley Moran. Bob graduated from Central High School and from the University of Scranton. He worked briefly as a grammar school teacher before working in the textbook publishing industry in both sales and management for 30 years. He retired from McGraw-Hill in 2000.
Bob was a man of deep and abiding faith that originated from his upbringing and Jesuit education. After traveling to Ireland in 1988, he became a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Camden, N.J., where he befriended the pastor, Father Michael J. Doyle and eventually became a server at Mass. It was here that Bob found a home for his generous spirit, joining the vibrant community of volunteers answering Father Doyle's call "to stand on the side of life with all the struggling people of Camden and the world." He spent his most meaningful years volunteering his time, energy and passion for projects in Camden, including housing renovation, food distribution and community organizing. He became fondly known as "the Van Man," always answering the call for transportation for the many projects of the church. He served on CCOP (Camden Churches Organized for People) in both the Sacred Heart neighborhood and the citywide organization. Finally, Bob was a devoted member of the St. Vincent DePaul ministry, deriving great enjoyment organizing and working summer picnics for the neighborhood.
Bob was deeply connected to his Irish roots, traveling with his wife throughout Ireland over the years and gaining extensive knowledge of Irish history, politics, traditions, literature and its music. He loved all genres of music, the outdoors, and many other hobbies he joyfully pursued with the help of the many he infectiously recruited along the way.
His greatest calling in life was as loving husband to his wife of 58 years, Morna (nee Downes), and devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle and friend. There was no greater joy for Bob than his connection to the many people in his life who he loved, and who he made feel loved.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children and their families: Tara Fernandez, her husband, David and their four children, Andrew, Elizabeth, John and Genevieve; Robert C. Moran Jr., his wife, Adriana, and their children, Joseph and Elisa; Kathleen Wainwright and husband, Daniel; and Jeannine MacBride, and her children, Lucas and Zachary. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Estadt; brothers in-law, Joe Panetti and John Mulhall; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by brother, John "Jack" Moran; and sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Bender, Jane Panetti, Lois Mulhall and Barbara Regan.
Friends and family may call Wednesday, June 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home, 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton PA 18505. The funeral will be Thursday, July 1, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 1217 Prospect Ave., Scranton PA 18505, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church, Camden, N.J., at sacredheartcamden.org.
To email condolences, visit the funeral home website.