Kind. Role model. Mentor. Hero. These are just a few of the words that have been used to describe Robert “Grandpa Bob” Joseph Trameri. On September 21, 2021, at the age of 87, Bob was reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife Rita.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Bob and his family moved to Detroit when he was a young boy. Tiger Stadium was only a 15-minute bus ride away, and Bob, his dad, and his brother went to hundreds of baseball games. His father owned a car lot, and in high school, Bob would work out the car loans for his customers. He didn’t know it, but it was this job that would launch Bob into a career that would shape the rest of his life. That’s not to say that he didn’t hold other interesting summer jobs as a youth – the summers he spent as a repo man brought with it many stories he would later tell his friends and family!

It was banking that brought Bob to the Holland area. Bob founded Paragon Bank. Bob prided himself on supporting every member of his team that he worked with, from the janitor to the executives. When Bob wasn’t at the bank, he was active in the Kiwanis, the Elks, and the American Legion, among others. Bob was also active in Port Sheldon Township for decades, serving on the Board of Public Review. It wasn’t all work for Bob – since the beginning days of watching baseball with his brother and father, family was the most important thing to him. He and wife Rita loved to entertain their family and loved ones at their cottages, and Bob would often be found sitting around the campfire, sharing stories with his children and grandchildren. He and Rita loved to travel, exploring such locales as Hawaii, Las Vegas, and many, many banking trips. Bob and Rita galvanized many friendships, which have lasted decades. In his later years, Bob maintained his rhododendrons in his yard, and would often try his luck at Gun Lake Casino at the craps tables or slots (somehow, he was always lucky!).

The kindest man you would ever meet, Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. We will miss him dearly.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Rita, daughter Laurie O’Niel, and brother Ron Trameri.

Surviving is his children: Denise & Gary Holt, Mark & Joy Trameri, Julie & Terry Ross; grandchildren, Amie Trameri, Kristi & Clay Barron, Anthony & Jeana Holt, Angela & Clint Michael, Andrea & Paul Neumann, Nick Trameri, Lindsay Trameri; great-grandchildren, Keagan, Kendall, Kelsie, Kenzie, Cayden, Kameryn, Coy, Silas, Freddy, and Bobby; sister Betty Beckwith.

A graveside service will take place at Port Sheldon Township Cemetery at 1:00 pm Sunday, September 26. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m, Sunday, September 26, at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.