Obituary of Robert John Camoin

Robert John “Bob” Camoin, a resident of Suffield, Connecticut and formerly of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Friday, October 6, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 83. 

Predeceased by his parents Romeo and Ludwina Camoin, as well as his beautiful and devoted sister Edwina Marooney, with whom he shared a special bond, Bob was born November 9, 1939 in Astoria, Queens. As a teen, he met Grace Billone who lived a block away. He studied electrical engineering at Manhattan College where he was a member of ROTC.  Growing up, Bob’s mother taught him to dance and he and Grace loved to dance any chance they could.  The two were married June 24, 1961 at Immaculate Conception Church with a reception held at Ricardos in Queens.  

He started his career with IBM and the couple moved upstate to Pleasant Valley, until he was called for duty in the United States Air Force.  Stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Ft Walton Beach, FL, their first son, Robert John Camoin II was born. After three years of military service, he was honorablydischarged and returned to work for IBM residing in Hopewell Junction.  Their second son, Michael Joseph Camoin was born and the family soon moved to Wappingers Falls.   

Bob led Quality Control groups in IBM’s main plantin Poughkeepsie and over his 36 year career traveled to facilities throughout the northeast, southwest, Europe and Asia, helping IBM prepare for global competition.

Bob would advance to lead IBM’s East Fishkill plant, where he started the facility’s first blood drive.  Promoted to Armonk, he worked at IBM’s international headquarters continuing to oversee Big Blue’s quality control program.  

Bob was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls where he was a lector, eucharistic minister and served on the parish finance committee.  He belonged to the IBM Country Club and later in retirement, Blue Water Bay Country Club in Florida where he scored a hole in one.  

Bob and Grace developed numerous close friendships in their Wappinger Falls neighborhood. With children close in age, families took to camping first in tents, then pop-up campers, discovering New York’s great outdoors. 

The “Neighborhood” grew to become a large extended family that included lifelong friend, Sal Cocolicchio and family.  As a member of the IBM country club, Bob played golf regularly with neighbors.  Together, they started the “Quarry Drive Classic” which became an annual golf event ending with a picnic.  

As pop-up campers faded, Bob and Grace purchased property in the Adirondacks where they built a camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, NY.  Bob enjoyed working with his hands, forever perfecting and shaping the Adirondack camp into a second home where he and Grace would eventually spend their summers.  Many family and friends frequented the camp building lasting memories.  He also created enduring memories for his five oldest grandchildren by starting Camp Whatchamacallit.

When Bob’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers in late 1990s, he started the first Walk To End Alzheimers across the Beacon-Newburgh bridge where hundreds came out in support.  Late in life, Bob’s sister Edwina Marooney and Bob himself suffered from Alzheimers.  

In addition to his wife Grace, he is survived by his sons, Robert John Camoin II (Andrea) and grandchildren, Taylor Camoin, Meredith Camoin, Garrett Camoin, John Romeo Camoin and Harrison Consedine; and son, Michael Camoin (Linda) and grandchildren, Isabelle Marie Camoin and Jacob Romeo Camoin; brother-in-law Richard Marooney and family and lifelong friend, Sal Cocolicchio and family.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, October 9, 2023 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m.  on Tuesday, October 10 at St. Mary’s Church, Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls.  Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Wappingers Falls. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to charity dear to Bob, “Team Bob” at Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Dutchess County, https://act.alz.org/site/TR?team_id=847560&pg=team&fr_id=16742.

To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.