Robert ‘Espo’ Esposito Jr., 60, of Kingston

KINGSTON » Robert “Espo” Esposito Jr., 60, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at home, surrounded by family.

Born in New Rochelle, he was a son of the late Robert E. and Mary Esposito Sr.

Bob retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2009, after having served 32 years with them as a devoted mail carrier, never missing a day in the rain, sleet or snow — as all postal workers do. It was during his last months as a mail carrier where he met his beloved wife and they struck up a friendship that would eventually lead to a loving, supportive marriage. It was here that he earned the name “Espo,” a nickname that would follow him for years to come.

It was through his friends at the Post Office that he became an avid bowler as part of The J.R Logging/Frontier Bowling League and joined a team Bob grew incredibly fond of — appropriately called “Going Postal” at The Kingston Lanes Bowling Alley. It became one of his favorite pastimes and Tuesday was always a day he looked forward to, thanks to the people he was surrounded by in this league. In 2016, he was presented with a special “Tough Man” Award for his dedication to the league, even throughout his treatments for his illness. The family is especially grateful to everyone here for the fond memories he would often recount, as well as the massive outpouring of love and support during a bowling fundraiser earlier this year.

After retirement from the Post Office, Bob joined the team at Headless Horseman Hayrides, where he did seasonal work from 2011-2016. He loved scaring the daylights out of people and chasing them with the chainsaws on the trails. He met many incredible people here and his family is forever grateful to Mike and Nancy Jubie, as well everyone he worked with for giving him an opportunity and an environment that allowed him to always have something to look forward to and escape the troubles of his illness.

Bob’s favorite activities with his family included everything from NASCAR, Mets baseball, and Jets football. They attended many games and races together and are grateful for the memories these sporting events gave their family. Even more then sports, he was an avid fan of the AMC series “The Walking Dead.” He enjoyed going to many different fan events (most recently Fan Premiere at Madison Square Garden in 2015), where he was able to enjoy quality family time and meet multiple members of the cast.

Bob had a strength that was unmatched and it was because of all the love and support he received that he had always been able to beat the odds. His family cannot mention enough how grateful we are to have seen him surrounded by so much love and to have the support of everyone around him. Our “Bobert” will be greatly missed and forever loved.

Bob is survived by his wife, Janice Hall Esposito of Kingston; a stepdaughter, Samantha Pacheco of Kingston; a sister, Madelyn Stuteville and her husband Rees of Klamath Falls, Ore.; a brother, Ronnie Esposito of South Hampton, N.Y.; three nieces, Naomi, Lily, and Jasmine; a great-niece, Serenity; and a great-nephew, Linkin. Bob’s beloved emotional support dog, Meeka, also survives.

Bob will be reposing at Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave., on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service and interment will be held privately.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing, 6725 Lyons St., East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057.

Online condolences may be left for the family of Bob by visiting www.SimpsonGaus.com.