Robert W. Wandras

ROBERT WILLIAM WANDRAS, June 22, 1934, “Trumpet Bob” Wandras of Coventry, RI and Key West, FL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 7, 2018 under the care of Hope Hospice. Bob was born in Kearny, NJ and up there with his brother, Fred C. Wandras (deceased). He was the son of Violetta Maude (Axtel) and Frederick Charles Wandras (deceased). After attending Kearny High School, Bob served in the US Navy during the Korean War from 1952-1956. In 1956, Bob worked as a Stationary Engineer, Newark, NJ. He married Eileen Lands (deceased) of Kearny and they had two sons, Robert W. Wandras, Jr (deceased) and John Charles Wandras. Bob worked as a Firefighter for the town of Kearny from 1960-1985. He married Lora (Mathewson) Wandras in 1972. "They resided in Newton, NJ from 1975-2002, moving then to Coventry, RI. Bob became a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain and piloted many boats, along with his own little Tugboat, “Seahorse”. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, sailing, traveling and was a lifelong trumpet player. He played the National Anthem every year at the Newport Yacht Club Commissioning Day Celebration where he was a member for thirty four years. Trumpet Bob performed with many musical groups in Key West, Florida. He is survived by his wife of forty six years, Lora (Mathewson) Wandras, brother-in-law, Howard Daniel Mathewson, Grandson, John Wandras and his wife Michele and their two sons, Anthony and Joshua. Granddaughter, Nicole (Wandras) Horn and her husband, Michael and their two daughters, Kyrsten and Kylie.

A funeral home service will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 11:00 am in the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home & Crematory, 721 Washington Street, Coventry, RI. A calling hour will be held prior from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Burial will be at the family cemetery, Wood Street, Coventry, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory made be sent to the Junior Sailing Program at the Newport Yacht Club which provides scholarships for children. Please make checks payable to “Newport Yacht Club”, 110 Longwharf, Newport, RI 02840 and put “Junior Sailing Donation” on the Memo Line or to Hope Hospice RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.

For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com