STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — At 3 a.m., on his wife’s birthday, Robert Myers suffered a widow-maker heart attack. The medical professionals had to use a defibrillator on him. But that didn’t stop him from making an important phone call from his hospital bed, to his wife, to sing her happy birthday.
Myers was a devoted family man, and a dedicated worker. He passed away on March 19, at the age of 81. The cause of death was heart failure.
Robert Myers (third from right) with his siblings.family archive
He was born on April 17, 1944 in Brooklyn to James and Catherine Myers. His mother was a secretary for Merrill Lynch and his father worked in the purchasing area for the New York Stock Exchange as a vice president. He was the tenth out of a whopping 13 children.
“His mom was his hero because she raised 13 children and went to church every single morning, all while having a full-time job,” said his wife, Maureen Myers.
Robert Myers (top row, second from right) with his siblings.family archive
Myers attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School. “He loved working with his hands. He used to repair stoves and then he went to trade school, and that’s when he became a hydraulic mechanic,” Maureen Myers said.
After high school, Myers joined the Merchant Marines to help support his family. In fact, he traveled the globe. “He helped the military move cargo from country to country,” said his son, Robert Myers, Jr.
Pictured are Robert Myers and Maureen Myers.family archive
Myers returned home to live with his family in Brooklyn, while working as a hydraulic jack mechanic at Metro Hydraulic Jack Company.
Living in his same building was Maureen (née Redar). She had a crush on him (he looked like Robert Redford) and would spy on him walking through the hallway from the peephole in her door. They both took the same train to work and one day, as they were getting off the subway, Myers asked her out. The pair dated for three years before getting married. They lived in Brooklyn, before moving to New Springville in 1984.
Myers eventually got a job with the NYC Department of Sanitation, where he served for over 22 years. In that position, he committed acts of heroism.
Robert Myers with Robert Myers, Jr.family archive
One night, a little girl wandered out of her home in her nightgown. The temperature was freezing outside. She was lost and confused. Myers took responsibility for her, taking her around from house to house until she found her home.
In another instance, Myers saved an entire family from a fire. “He was taking out garbage, and he saw that a house was on fire,” Maureen Myers said. “The family was in their house and didn’t realize the house was on fire, so he was able to get them out, and he saved their lives because he did that.”
Robert Myers with Denise Schnell and Maureen Myers.family archive
For that, Myers won the Bronze Medal of Honor from the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation.
On the side, Myers launched his own business, Bob’s Forklift Mechanic.
He went to St. Patrick’s Church every Sunday. He donated money to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Wounded Warriors, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Robert Myers with Amber Barker and Maureen Myers.family archive
“He loved Staten Island and the sense of community there,” Myers, Jr. said.
More than anything, Myers loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“He was the most amazing husband,” Maureen Myers said. “He’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met my entire life.”
Robert Myers (top row second, from right) on his weddingfamily archive
“He was a jokester, but very caring,” Myers, Jr. said. “He could be tough, but only because he wanted us to be the best that we possibly could.”
In addition to his wife, Myers is survived by his children, Denise Schnell, Dawn Cohen, and Robert Myers, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.