ROBERT J. "Bob" LANZA, 74, of Boynton Beach, FL, passed away on April 22, 2017. He was born on March 13, 1943, at Fort Jay on Governor's Island in New York, NY, the son of the late Charles Victor and Santina "Sadie" Lanza (nee Camarda). The son of an Army captain, Bob moved around frequently in his youth, until settling with his family in Hialeah, FL, in 1957, at the age of 14. He attended Hialeah Senior High School (Class of '61) and Miami-Dade Community College. During his senior year of high school, he enrolled in the United States Naval Reserve and was called to active duty from 1965-67. After leaving active duty, he remained in the Reserve, serving the citizens of the United Stated for 26 more years, until retiring in 2003, having attained the rank of Senior Chief Quartermaster, the highest rank for an enlisted man in the Naval Reserve. In 1967, he relocated to Armonk, NY, and began a 25-year career as a computer programmer with IBM. The next year, he married Vera Liberto, and returned to South Florida, living in Lauderhill, working at IBM's main site in Boca Raton, FL, until retiring from the company in 1992, having helped usher in the Computer Age through his work in developing programs for the first personal home computer. Bob returned to IBM as a consultant for two years before retiring from the business for good in 1994. During his time with IBM, he moved his family to Delray Beach, FL, and later Boynton Beach, FL, where he lived his remaining years.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who immersed himself in anything he found interesting, or that would help his family. In 1979, in support of his children's activities, he began a six-year run of volunteer service for the Delray Beach Soccer League (now AC Delray), where he was a coach, referee, director, and for four years (1981-85), its president. Under his leadership, he oversaw the club's incorporation and its growth in stature and respect among other clubs in the area.

In retirement, he served his community for ten years as an Elections Officer at his local precinct, where he was able to satisfy his growing interest in local and national politics.

Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Vera, his children Robert (Anne) and daughter Carolyn Madigan (Murphy), grandchildren Connor Madigan, Garrett Madigan, Alex Lanza, and Aidan Lanza, and brothers Charles Lanza and James Lanza, and their families.

The family will be receiving friends from 4pm to 7pm Monday, April 24, 2017 at Boynton Memorial Chapel, 800 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1pm Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 643 St. Mark Place, Boynton Beach. Entombment will follow at Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 N. Seacrest Blvd., Lantana, FL 33462. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to Trustbridge Hospice Care and Home Health ( www.trustbridge.com ).