Robert Thomas Best

Robert T. Best passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones July 24, 2019, in Spring Hill, Fla., where he and his wife lived. He was 87 years old.

Robert was born April 26, 1932, in Floral Park to Joseph and Eleanor Best.

Robert graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park and was considered a football star and an all-American lacrosse player and won a scholarship to Penn State.

He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

As a successful businessman, he began his career in the family business at Best Hardware Store in Franklin Square. He moved on to work with Trans Country Van Lines and then Action Bolt and Tool. But his most rewarding work was done where he donated his time at St. Vincent De Paul used furniture and clothing shop in Spring Hill where he did what he loved best, which was organizing and cleaning, and moving furniture and household items in preparation to sell for those in need.

Bob married Lorraine Johnston Goggins in Bay Shore in 1971. They moved to Laurel, N.Y., with his newly adopted family and became the proprietors of the Broadview Lodge on Peconic Bay in Laurel where they rented efficiency apartments and a cottage to summer visitors. In 1980, Bob and Lorraine moved to Florida, continued to work and eventually started a life of retirement.

Bob loved to cook for his family, watch football and was an avid golfer. Bob and Lorraine were snowbirds and enjoyed the North Fork each summer with their northern family and friends. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 48 years and a loving father to his children.

Bob has been reunited with his family in heaven and was predeceased by his son Robin (Robert Jr.); sisters Peggy Schultz and Jean Brown; and his brothers Joseph Best and Francis Best. He leaves behind his wife, Lorraine; four children, Kathleen Nickles (John) of Southold, Moira Mastro (Thomas) of Malverne, William Goggins (Donna) of New Suffolk and Alison Scanlon (Michael) of Nyack; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck Sunday, July 28, from 2 to 6 p.m. A Catholic Mass will be held at Our Lady of Ostabrama R.C. Church on Depot Lane in Cutchogue Monday, July 29, at 10 a.m. with burial to follow.

This is a paid notice.