Robert John Black

Robert John Black died peacefully surrounded by his family on February 2, 2021 at his home in Orient, NY. He was 67.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Leslie; his daughter, Catherine Mary and her husband, Brandon Harrar of Pottstown, PA; his sister Barbara Sidtis of Venice, FL; his brother- and sister-in-law, Frederick and Janis Peyser of Underhill, VT; and by several nieces and nephews.

Bob was born on April 27, 1953 in Williamsburg, NY to Robert John Black and Marie Siegfried Black. He was raised in Ridgewood, Queens. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1970 and attended Hunter College. Bob was employed in product placement and marketing for the grocery and health and beauty industry. He was employed by the Pezrow Corporation in Ramsey, NJ for 15 years, and became the Vice President of Health and Beauty Care at Joseph W. Riley Company in Haverford, PA. He went on to spend 28 years at Acosta Sales and Marketing where he was a Team Leader of Health and Beauty Care; he retired from there in 2017 as a Vice President of the Rite-Aid Team. 

On October 1, 1983, Bob married Leslie Elizabeth Peyser of Orient, NY. In the early years of their marriage they lived in Warwick, NY; they later moved to Kimberton, PA, where they raised their daughter, Catherine. He was a devoted husband and a proud father. He never missed a high school or collegiate rowing event. 

Retirement allowed Bob to pursue his passion for art and antiques fulltime. With Leslie, he operated the Old Orchard Farm Store in Orient, known for its antiques and collection of vintage art by the Peconic Bay Impressionists. 

He was also an enthusiastic, self-taught sailor. Captain Bob and his crew -- Leslie and Catherine -- spent many weekends sailing the Chesapeake Bay for nearly 20 years on “Dorielle,” a 31-foot Pearson harbored on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Bob completed the weeklong DelMarva Rally (more than once), sailing 450 nautical miles around the DelMarVa Peninsula. He loved to boast of “Dorielle” earning a trophy for being first in the fleet to Virginia. 

After moving to Orient, he acquired a tugboat, the “Sea Turtle”. He and Leslie enjoyed many cruises to the Orient Harbor and sunny days anchored off of Long Beach. 

Bob had a kind and generous spirit.  He was quick with a joke, and never failed to lend a hand to others. He loved to mentor others and guide them toward success. He was loved by so many and will be missed dearly.

The family would like to gratefully acknowledge Davit Chkhaidze, who helped Leslie care for Bob over the past year, and the Orient Fire Department, which answered many calls for assistance.

A memorial service will be held when it is safe to do so. Contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to the Orient Fire Department, the National Brain Tumor Society or San Simeon by the Sound.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert John Black, please visit our floral store.