Robert Florian Walicki

Robert “Bob” Florian Walicki

June 17, 1949 – November 23, 2016

Bob Walicki, 67, of Gig Harbor, Washington, passed away peacefully and courageously with his family by his side on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington.  Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Bob was a long time resident of Gig Harbor.  He was born on June 17, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York to Florian C. Walicki and Mary Walicki.  He graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School.  When he was younger he enjoyed going fishing in upstate New York, working on cars at his uncle and aunt’s gas station, spending many summers at Jones Beach in New York and taking road trips with friends.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Bob joined the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Phoenix, AZ at Luke Air Force Base and worked as a firefighter.  Later, he was deployed to Thailand to serve as a firefighter during the Vietnam War.

After the Air Force, Bob got married and moved back to Brooklyn, New York, where he attended the State University of New York, Maritime College at Fort Schuyler and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, specializing in Maritime and Mechanical Engineering.  He also worked for the telephone company during this time as a lineman.

Upon graduating from college, he moved to Port Orchard, Washington and worked as a Mechanical Engineer at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington for about 22 years.  He studied for and proudly earned his Professional Engineering License in Mechanical Engineering.  During this time, Bob also helped raise his two daughters, Nicole and Laura.

After Bob retired from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, he decided to start his own handyman business, called Gone Fixin’, named for his love of fishing.  Finding much happiness in his business and clients, he worked mainly in the Gig Harbor and Tacoma communities providing his handyman services until shortly before his passing.

Bob remarried in 2011 to his beloved Barbara.  He also became an avid member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Gig Harbor and especially enjoyed serving at coffee hour and chatting with friends.

Bob enjoyed visiting his daughters and granddaughter in California, visiting Barbara’s family in Minnesota, fishing, crabbing, traveling, listening to jazz/going to jazz concerts, listening to Elvis, volunteering at his church, working on cars, cooking and having coffee with friends.  However, first and foremost, Bob enjoyed helping others and giving back to his community.  He was a helper, always looking out for the needs of family, friends or complete strangers.  We will miss his caring spirit and love for those around him.

Bob is survived by his wife Barbara Walicki, daughters Nicole Walicki (Jason Cramer) and Laura Shields (Dan), granddaughter Natalie Shields, brothers Florian Walicki (Jan) and John Walicki (Angela), stepdaughters Angela McSorley (Todd) and Dawn Bontems (Daryl), and stepson Shawn Martinson.  Bob is also survived by many nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and additional family whom he adored.  He was predeceased by his parents Florian C. Walicki and Mary Walicki, stepmother Clara Walicki and sister Wanda Lee.

Memorial services with military honors and reception honoring Bob’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Gig Harbor, Washington on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Bob Walicki to the American Cancer Society (Lung Cancer Research), Habitat for Humanity or charity of your choice.  We know the love, friendship and courage of Bob’s spirit will live on in all that knew him.

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