Saturday, July 30, 2022
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My tribute to Robert Findaro
I am deeply saddened by the news that my dearest friend had recently passed away on July 22, 2022.
I just saw him 2 weeks ago at his residence and he seemed in good health and his typical self though he felt stressed but not to the point I worried about him.
I first met Robert by replying to a church ad where he was looking for a travel buddy to accompany him on a group tour to England, Scotland and Wales, “Great Britain Tour” for 10 days in June 1997 with Contiki Tours.
It was a package deal costing $1,400 for round trip flight to London Heathrow and NY JFK, bus tour, hotel stays and meals.
I was very shy but for some reason I replied to the ad and called the number and Robert Findaro was the one who placed the ad.
I met him at his house to provide him the money for the tour and he kept in touch with me as the date of our trip drew closer.
He provided me my receipt and tickets for the flight and though we booked different flights we both met at the hotel in London where we were staying at.
When I met him in London I was very happy, relieved and excited for our upcoming tour of Great Britain.
We had a wonderful time meeting so many people on the tour from other states and many different countries.
It was one of the best times of my life.
Robert was very kind, gentle, compassionate and very thoughtful.
I took a liking to him from the very beginning and felt he was very trustworthy and a wonderful person.
After our trip he invited me to his beach club and to Mets games as he had a package with the Mets organization because his father who had already passed when Robert was 16 was the team pediatrician for the Mets ball players children.
I was very impressed with Robert and related to him.
I invited him to my wedding in September 1998 and our son’s christening in February 1999.
Robert was very generous and he had a heart.
He was an accomplished attorney but he wasn’t in it for the big bucks.
He practiced as an attorney working at an agency for battered women.
He was an immigration attorney representing all kinds of clients seeking citizenship in the United States.
He wanted to help people and he cared about the families he represented and though he had to maintain professionalism he did sometimes get emotional about his cases because he truly cared for the people he served and wanted to help them to the best of his ability.
Robert always referred to me when it came to his taxes and he sought my professional services and he respected my professionalism as well.
He was a loyal client and my most organized. He was a CPA’s dream as he was very meticulous and very detailed.
After going through all his records it was much easier preparing his tax returns and he compensated me well.
Robert wasn’t just a client, he was a tremendous friend to me.
I met his mother when she was alive and she asked me to file her tax returns for some time and help her with gathering documents in seeking reimbursement from a pharmacy.
I remember when we went to court and she won the case she and Robert were thrilled and they treated me to a nice Italian dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant.
I have so many fond memories of Robert I don’t know where to begin.
Every tax season like clockwork Robert would come to my house near the April 15 deadline and I would work on his taxes as he provided me all his documents.
He was my best client and one of my very best of friends.
I think of Robert as a brother.
He was always there for me and my family and when I went into a diabetic coma and nearly died in June 2020 Robert was there to help me in my recovery and he would visit me and bring me lunch and dinner when he was available.
Robert also accepted me regarding my personal situation in being male to female transgender and was very supportive.
I’m deeply sorry that Robert was taken from us at age 59 but I know he’s in a better place and at peace.
He is an angel and I know he’s happily reunited with his parents who he loved dearly.
Rest In Peace my dear friend Robert.
Love,
Edward Iannielli III
“Emily”
516-627-2000