Robert DiCristina, 72, of Orlando, Florida passed away after a long illness on February 28th, 2024 peacefully in his sleep.
Robert had a zest for life and will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his kind and adventurous spirit.
He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, in 1951 to Rafael and Gladys. Robert was a gregarious, strong-willed, and ambitious child. He attended University High School in San Juan before joining the National Guard. Robert and former wife Miriam Zayas had their first daughter, Vanessa, before moving to Florida in 1976. They had 3 more daughters, Gretchen (d. 1978), Jacqueline, and Mary. In 1987, he married Kelly and they had daughter Katherina.
Robert had a long working career in many industries where his hard working ethic was appreciated. In the latter half of his career he worked within the respiratory therapy industry where he found a love of helping patients. Upon retiring in 2016, he was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of RVing across the country with his wife Kelly for 5 years, working mainly summers in Yellowstone National Park, stopping only when he got ill in 2020. In 2021 they found their way back to Florida where he eventually received a diagnosis of Amyloidosis.
Robert will be remembered as a very kind man who never met a stranger. He loved sports, especially baseball and the Atlanta Braves. He was passionate about music, showcased by his encyclopedic knowledge of the golden oldies. The family has lost their historian. Robert’s memory was unparalleled, even to the end. He nourished strong and supportive relationships from childhood friends all the way to the annual Parcheesi tournament with his cousins.
Robert leaves behind his beloved wife Kelly, brother Miguel (Maria Amelia), sister Maria Isabel (Ivan), daughters Miriam Vanessa (Alex), Jacqueline Milagros (Armando), Mary Ann (Julian), and Katherina Elizabeth (Diarmuid), and seven grandchildren and two precious great-grandchildren. And so many friends. He joins his parents, Rafael and Gladys, brother Rafael and granddaughter Lissette. Robert was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, March 10, 2024 for a celebration of Roberts life from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations.