Robert Dardaris

After a long life filled with football, family and flowers, Robert “Bob” Dardaris, 94, passed away surrounded by his children on May 1, 2023 at Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell, NJ.  A native of Philadelphia who spent his first 73 years in the city, Bob was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High and a longtime machinist at Steel Heddle Manufacturing.   

Unassuming, congenial and quick with a quip, Bob deeply missed his beloved wife of 50 years, Katherine (nee Stavrou), who passed away in 2005.  They were first-generation Americans, whose parents had emigrated from Albania. They were married in Saint John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church in Center City and remained devoted members of the congregation. Bob and Kathy moved to Ewing NJ in 2001.

Bob was also predeceased by his parents Xenophone and Sophia Dardaris (nee Pogas), brother Charles and sister Helen Perotti.  He is survived by his children Denise Bevans (Michael), Robert Dardaris (Peggy) and Gregory Dardaris (Christine), as well as grandchildren Kaitlin (Colin), Brooke, Gregory and Alex. 

There was a time when hunting deer for a few days in the fall was the highlight of Bob’s year. And he still relished the chance to win a few dollars in a Saturday night poker game. But the perfect day began with a garden spade and a bag of bulbs, then a parade of children and grandchildren through his front door, a slow-cooker bubbling with red sauce, and the best seat in the house: the leather recliner in front of a flat-screen with helmeted behemoths colliding in brilliant color. Saturdays in the fall were reserved for Penn State, Sundays for the Eagles.

The man affectionately known as B.D., Dad, Bobaloo and Pop Pop needed little to be content, and he wasn’t particularly particular … except when it came to his homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Those canned tomatoes HAD to be the Tuttorosso brand.  He would happily eat pasta every day.  He would happily skip vegetables every day (and usually did).

Friends and family are welcome to attend his viewing 10am to 11am Monday, May 8th, at St. John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church. 237 N. 17th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19103. His funeral Service will take place at 11am in the church.  His interment will follow at Lawnview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Saint John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church, 237 N 17th St, Philadelphia PA 19103 and at https://stjcaoc.org.

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