Robert Joseph Slesarchik
August 26, 1960 ~ July 24, 2024
Resided in:
Okatie, South Carolina
Robert Slesarchik, 63, passed away on July 24, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine. Bob was born on August 26, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, son of the late Alex and Stella Slesarchik. Bob grew up in the vibrant neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York. His childhood was filled with the joys of playing sports in the streets alongside his brother and neighborhood friends.
From an early age, Bob exhibited a strong work ethic, starting work at the age of 12 doing stocking and delivery for the local drug store. This strong work ethic continued through his life. Bob worked in the paper industry, ultimately serving as VP of Sales for Continental Paper Grading. His success in his profession was a testament to his character— he was incredibly honest, trustworthy, and full of integrity. His handshake was his word. He spoke highly of his business family, treating them with genuine respect, appreciation, and love. Bob was known for his optimism, empathy, genuine nature, and fairness. Described as a “real icon” in his profession, he was not only a veteran in his field, but also an expert.
Above all else, family was everything. He met the love of his life, Anna, in high school when they were just 16 and 17 years old. Bob married Anna Kuzbik on August 29, 1982 in Brooklyn, New York. He shared a deep, loving bond with Anna throughout their marriage. Favorite times were spent enjoying morning coffee, hugs, and prayers together. He was never grumpy, always happy, and endlessly optimistic. His wife described him as her rock and foundation, and their conversations and companionship were a cornerstone of their life together.
Together, they raised their family in Haworth, New Jersey where he became the epitome of a loving and devoted parent. As a father, he was affectionate, always hugging and cuddling, and going above and beyond to make his children happy. He was deeply involved in their lives, from building ice skating rinks to dressing up as Barney, and cherished individual one-on-one time with both his son and daughter. He even was a second dad to all his children's friends, making everyone feel listened to and accepted. Family vacations and time together were of utmost importance to Bob.
Bob had a passion for food and cooking, often preparing gourmet meals to delight his friends and family. He would love taking an entire day to drive around collecting ingredients for a new meal. He had a keen interest in local restaurants and loved exploring new places.
A world traveler, he visited nearly every continent, with Italy being his favorite country. His travels began at the age of 22 and continued throughout his life, both for business and pleasure. The love of golf brought him to South Carolina in 2020. Just prior to that, he moved to Portland, Maine, in late 2019 to be closer to his children, with plans of becoming snowbirds between Portland and South Carolina. This year, Bob achieved a personal milestone with a hole-in-one, which he viewed as a gift from God.
His faith in Jesus was a sustaining and guiding force throughout his life, and he was deeply loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed for his hugs, adventures, conversations, and unconditional love.
His legacy of kindness, generosity, and optimism will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Bob is survived by his wife, Anna; his son, Christopher, wife Mariah, and future grandchild; his daughter, Julia and fiancé Steven Malueg; his sister, Patricia; his brother, Timothy, and his wife and daughter, Diana and Christine.
Visiting Hours celebrating the remarkable life of Bob Slesarchik will be held on Sunday, July 28 from 3-5PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
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I am so very sorry for your loss. Bob sure was one of a kind, and he will be missed. I worked with Bob for many years as a freight forwarder for his shipments to Italy, etc. He was a pleasure to work with, we met many times here in Canada and in the US.
I adored Bobby. I’ve known him my whole life. Growing up he was one of the most fun and entertaining people to be around. He always made time to hang out with the younger cousins and endlessly entertained us with his hilarious impersonations and stories. So grateful to be able to call such an incredible person my Family. I was the flower girl when he and Anna got married. ❤️ There are no words to express how much he and Anna and their kids have meant to me over my whole life. To say Bobby will be missed is the understatement of the century. 🙏🏼
Our condolences to you, your family and loved ones. We hope reminiscing about the good times you, your family and Bob had will bring joyous moments. I’m always here if you need an ear to listen. Love you! Helen
Please accept my most sincere and heart felt condolences for your terrible loss.
Our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and friends. To all of us whose life he touched. He will be dearly missed.
I admired Bob on so many levels but most of all his kindness in all he did and said. He didn’t preach kindness he lived it and set an amazing example to follow.
I wish we had more time to keep making memories, but forever grateful for the ones we have. I can’t thank you, Anna, Julia and Chris enough.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank-you Bob and Anna for the the memories of holidays, sleep overs, concerts/trips, meals and pool time growing up. Time spent with your family was always filled with happiness and laughter, there was never a dull moment. Having you as a part of my life is truly a gift, 🙏🕊🤍 -Kelly
Cooking
Growing up in Haworth
Visting Pennsylvania and Boston
Spening Christmas and Thanksgiving times together, decorating your Christmas tree.
Cooking meals and snacks and eating at various restaurants.
You always opened your home and family to me ❤️ thank you so much.
Inviting
Accepting
Humorous
Warm
Intelligence
Rest in nothing but peace and please watch over us 🤍
Always kept his composure.
Family holidays, always made sure I was included and fed ❤️
My best friend Julia
You are in our thoughts.
Love, The Feldman’s & The Tabay’s
Ciao Bob,
We have almost closed the sales of KLB related to the productions of August and even in this round we did not do badly, therefore, our superiors will be satisfied with the work done. We are also opening other business fronts of which, we are confident, we will have other satisfactions.
Even in this circumstance, we like to address you using the same tones that have accompanied us for years on a journey that has increasingly united us, transforming a commercial team into a group of friends or, to put it better, into a real family.
Not having you physically by our side will be very hard, however, in order to honour your person and your ideas, we will do everything not to disappoint you.
A big hug!
Ciao ciao
Vincenzo and Linda
Bob is more than a colleague, he is a friend, he is part of our lives. Through good and hard times we developed a special relationship with him. We have been on a journey that increasingly united us over the years. He has transformed a commercial team into a group of friends or to put it better, into a real family. Not having him physically by our side will be very hard, however, he will always be in our hearts.
Ciao Ciao
Linda & Vincenzo
Your light will burn brightly forever. See you in Heaven.
To Anna, Timmy, Patricia and family I am heartbroken beyond words for all of you. I loved Bob and considered him a close friend. I wish I could have spent more time with him. If ever I could do anything Tim knows where to find me. I’ll see Bobby in Heaven.
I met Bob through his brother Tim. Tim and I were coworkers in NYCT. Tim invited me to play a round of golf with Bob in North Jersey and had a blast. We immediately hit it off.
He loved cooking more than I did. He’d even been to Italy more often than me, and I have family there!
Very generous, funny, never saw him angry. What’s not to like?
While playing golf on no particular hole Tim and I asked “Where’s Bob?”. A few moments later we heard in the peaceful serenity of a golf course someone screamed , well, not “Happy Birthday!”. We now knew were Bobby was. Happened often. We loved it every time.
He loved family, friends, and just having a laugh and enjoying life.
Having a good time. He and Anna invited me into their home and made me feel like family.
Obviously family and friends.
“Wish I could have spent more time with you.”
All the time!
I grew up with Bob (Bobby back then). We lived in the same building and he, his brother,Tim, my brother Eric and I played daily. He and I both worked in drugstores as young teens- neighborhood competitors ! Although we hadn’t spoken in many years , I will miss Bob and will look back on the days of our childhood with fondness and love. Rest in Peace old friend 🩵
Sending you all my deepest condolences and love. Bob was a cherished second father to me. I hope my dad shakes his hand and thanks him when he arrives in heaven.
Bob was a fun person to grow up with. We did a lot of things together. I am forever grateful for the excellent care he and Anna gave to our Mom and Dad. What a great life he had. Rest in Peace, my brother.
Good times together in SC Lowcountry, my neighbors from NY. Bob will be missed, lot of weekend events & evening meals together.
Bob was a sales agent who represented our company, Packaging Corporation of America, in the Italian market.
We are a large Fortune 500 company and we have a Golden Rule we all operate by which is People, Customers and Trust. Bob represented that wholeheartedly. He was a man of high integrity. He was loyal and he was greatly respected by our industry. Bob was also an expert in his field. He was a person who I relied on not only to develop our business but to represent PCA as an extension of our company. He did that superbly. For me personally, he was also someone I considered a friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.