Robert Paul Pugliese

Robert Paul Pugliese, 64 of West Chester, PA, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA.

Born June 3, 1960, in Ridley Park, PA, he was the son of the late Dominic M. Pugliese and the late Geraldine P. Woznicki Pugliese.

Robert married his teenage crush and best friend, Kathleen Anne Shea-Pugliese, and shared 42 years of love, friendship and adventures. Originally from Springfield, PA, both made their home in West Chester, PA, where they welcomed three beautiful children.

Robert attended grade school at St. Dorothy’s and graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in 1978. From a young age, he could always be found with a tool belt around his hips and a project on his mind. Whether it was building his childhood fort or the stage sets for the high school theater program, he enjoyed the challenge. He loved to be outdoors, play sports, and rebuild cars. He would take frequent trips skiing and hiking across the globe with friends. During his early years, he worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and remodeled homes in Vermont and Colorado. Robert also enjoyed time on the golf course, playing and caddying for the members of Rolling Green Golf Club.

After attending Villanova for a period of time, he decided to pursue his passion for building. Robert and his brother Jim formed Pugliese Construction, where they worked together for 16 years before joining E.B. Mahoney Builders. For 28 years, Robert was a Superintendent for residential projects where he went above and beyond for his clients and coworkers, who he treated like family. While at E.B. Mahoney, he worked with the Williamson College of the Trades to update the curriculum alongside his friend and boss, Ed Mahoney.

Robert loved playing jokes on coworkers and especially his kids. Making anyone around him smile and laugh was his biggest project which extended to his story telling - but make sure you had enough time for him to get to the end because he was the king of tangents; however, the story was always worth it.

He had a passion for learning and perfecting his craft. He enjoyed helping others by sharing his knowledge and skills to anyone who asked for help. When he wasn’t working on his own project, or helping a friend with theirs, he could be found on the baseball diamond or football field coaching his two boys, James and Stephen. He loved throwing batting practice, even though his shoulder disagreed. And, although he didn’t understand why you could only use one side of a field hockey stick, he was his daughter, Ali’s, biggest fan at field hockey and lacrosse games.

Robert loved being with his wife and children while cooking, attending a Phillies game, watching TV, and working around the house. He would do anything for his family and anyone that knows Robert, knows his favorite thing to do was talk about how proud he was of his kids and how much he loved them.

A genuine person through and through, his willingness to help anyone made him the rock for a lot of people, especially his family. He was always ready to lend an ear to listen and offer advice. Robert was looking forward to finishing his workshop at home where he would be building furniture, and in his spare time, traveling with his best friend and wife, Kathy.

The greatest achievement is to love and be loved, and boy, was he loved.

In addition to his wife Kathy, he is survived by his three children Ali, James, and Stephen, as well as his six siblings: Trish, Debi (Sean), Jim (Laura), Paul (Susie), Nancy (Freddie), and Teri. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dominic, and mother, Geraldine.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com followed by his Funeral Service at 1:30 PM.

Interment will be Private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Penn State THON in Robert’s name.