Bob Ponte

Bob Ponte, 83, of Fleming Island, FL, passed away May 30, 2016. He was born on May 27, 1933 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to the late Serafim and Anne (DeCouto) Ponte. As a child in New Bedford, Bob spent much of his free time in his father’s barbershop and his mother’s hair salon. He was also raised by his beloved grandmother, with whom he loved spending time on various projects, such as creating homemade root beer. He graduated from New Bedford High School and attended Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology. He later attended the University of Rhode Island, receiving a master’s degree in biology and certification as a registered pharmacist. While in college, he met the love of his life, Norma, while interning at St. Luke’s hospital in New Bedford during his summer breaks. They both had a love of dancing and during the mid 1950s would go several nights a week to local clubs and dance to big band music. Passionate about basketball, Bob played on his high school and college teams. In college, Bob recalled playing against the late great Hot Rod Hundley who jumped so high that his kneecaps were at face level of other players. Bob married his wife Norma in 1958 and settled in Dartmouth, MA. He was an excellent pharmacist and opened his own pharmacy in the area during the 1960s. It was a family business, where he taught his five children the art of business and customer service. Bob and Norma moved from Massachusetts to Florida in 1992, where they were both members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Fleming Island, FL. He had a green thumb, and loved gardening and tending to his roses. Bob was also a wonderful storyteller, upbeat and an optimist. He was passionate about the Boston Celtics and often took his family to games at the Boston Garden. Bob, along with his wife Norma, loved ice cream. During the last year of his life, the senior care home where he lived made a special effort to stock root beer and coffee ice cream so he could make coffee root beer floats. Bob lived for his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Norma Louise (Rapoza) Ponte; sons, Robert Andrew (Elizabeth), Douglas James (Michelle), David Michael (Cathy) and Christopher Joseph (Michelle) Ponte; daughter, JoMary (James) Long; eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A memorial mass will be held Friday, June 10, 2016 at 9 a.m., at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, St. Augustine, FL. The commitment of ashes is at 10 a.m. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements under the direction of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 284-4000.