Robert "Bob" Mochilar

Born Wednesday, September 4th, 1929; Robert “Bob” Mochilar began a journey that spanned nine decades, and introduced him to many loves, none of which were stronger than the love he had for his wife Helen, and their children, Ken, Jackie, Joyce, and Robert A.

For most of his 94 years, he had one constant in his life, his accordion. Bob learned to play the accordion and piano at the age of 7 and played them regularly into his 94th year. During this time, a love of music developed along with a passion for polkas.

It was music and polkas that led him to his true love. Because of these, while Bob was in the Army, he joined the SNPJ lodge 138 and one evening while attending a dance at the lodge, he saw a beautiful woman sitting at a table. Little did he know that this woman, Helen, would become his true love.

Bob and Helen married, and a family began. In life, what seemed like a few short years later, Bob, Helen, Joyce, and Robert A, moved to Florida while Ken joined the Air Force and Jackie attended College in Pennsylvania.

Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked right in once settled in Florida and he opened his Card and Gift store in St. Petersburg. This didn’t last long as he kept reflecting on his first business ownership in Pennsylvania, a Standard Oil Gas Station. He knew the automotive industry was his work passion and soon he closed the Card and Gift store and opened a new venture, R&M Tire. Due to his success, contacts he made encouraged him to grow the business and before long, he closed R&M Tire and opened Modern Tire & Wheel.

Throughout Bob’s life, the hobbies enjoyed most were shared with Helen. They included fishing in Canada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Alaska, and almost daily in Florida, to playing daily games of 500 rum with Helen. Music remained a big part of his life and included playing in polka bands, managing two bands of his own, and even remaining a member of the SNPJ lodge 778, to which he was elected President for multiple years. Maybe not a hobby, but definitely one of Bob’s loves was food. You knew this by the soft sounds of approval he would give with every bite. He loved many different foods but at the top of the list were soft shelled crabs, pierogies (Helen’s & Mrs. T’s), Helen’s Hawaiian wedding cake and just about everything else Helen cooked.

On March 30th, 2024, Robert “Bob” Mochilar peacefully passed away in his sleep while his daughter, Jackie Cafera was by his side. He was 94 years old.

He will be missed by many.

Preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Helen, son, Kenneth Widish and daughter Joyce Mochilar Starratt as well as brothers: Edward J. Sever, John Sever, Frank Sever and sisters: Marie Page, Olga Levanoff, and Viola Mochilar.

Survived by his daughter Jacqueline Widish (Robert) Cafera (Milford, Ohio), and son Robert (Mary) Mochilar (Royse City, Texas). He leaves to have loving memories of him, 8 grandchildren: Paul, Georgia, Lindsey, Brittany, David, Donald, Marcella and Blake; 19 great grandchildren: Amanda, Sierra, Megan, Katelyn, Glen, Gabriella, Rachael, Ray Jr., Austin, Jacob, Bella, Jonathan, Christopher, Amiyah, Forest, Emma, Michael, Cailin, and Abigail and many great-great grandchildren.

Memorial Service at Megie Funeral Home, 529 Main Street, Milford, Ohio 45150 on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Gathering for family and friends from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Service at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial Service and Interment to be arranged at Sylvan Abby Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Clearwater Florida.