Robert J. Kranz

Robert J. Kranz was born on April 29th, 1961, and quietly passed on May 15th, 2026, in his sleep. Born to Robert C. Kranz and Dorothy Kranz in Brooklyn NY, he was raised in Greenpoint Brooklyn until moving out to Holbrook, NY in his teens.

Robert graduated Sachem High School in 1979 and soon after began working as a Laborer for various companies under the Union Local 79. He became a Shop Steward towards the end of his career before early retirement due to injury.

Robert was known as Bob or Bobby and among friends he was referred to as “Bear.” He is a father to four children, Joshua, Katie, Zachary, Francesca and a grandfather to Penny, Cooper, and Cassie. Bob had many hobbies which included Gardening, Art, Music, and Cooking.

One of Bobs passions in life was the band the Grateful Dead. In 1995 Bob and his family hosted an annual summer party referred to as either “The Pow Wow” or “The Jerry Party.” These parties were to celebrate the passing of Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia. The parties consisted of Grateful Dead music and adjacent bands, live music performed by neighborhood musical acts, homemade coloring books for kids, custom CDs, puppet shows and were accompanied by a potluck style buffet of food. These parties became neighborhood legend all thanks to a man's love for music.

Aside from the Grateful Dead, Bob had a love for motorcycles and owned several models over his life including Indian and Harley Davidson and would attend Bike Week in Daytona and Laconia. Bob was able to make friends easily and had a charisma that drew you in and humor that kept you around. He had immense love for a lot of people but unfortunately that love should have been directed at himself.

Please join us to celebrate Bob's life on Thursday May 21st at Moloney's Lake Funeral Home in Lake Ronkonkoma from 2pm-4pm and from 7pm-9pm before Bob is cremated, per his wishes.

We hope to see you and celebrate Bob's life.