Robert James Bishop

Robert James Bishop, 67, of Milford, CT, beloved husband of Cheryl Bishop, passed away on April 12, 2026, following a fall and injury on a golf course. While he was known as Bob, Bobby, Mr. Bishop (to all his children’s friends), Mr. Big, and Boss, his favorite name was Dad and, most recently, Grampy.
Born June 12, 1958, to Thomas and Loretta Bishop, Bob was number four of five children and the baby boy of the family. In his words, he “grew up on the streets of Milford” (whatever that means), getting into all kinds of trouble, shenanigans, and of course, successful and creative business ventures with his best friend Todd. Bob was an entrepreneur and opportunist by nature. One of his earliest businesses was pulling a red Flyer wagon full of cups of Kool-Aid and selling them for a penny to beachgoers at the age of seven. He said he “made a killin’.”
He grew up to become a self-proclaimed “bad boy,” but that all changed in 1976. At age 18, while at The Red Arrow bar with friends, in walked Cheryl Giordanella. Bob, with his charisma and charm, swept her off her feet and set his life in a new direction. “She changed my life,” Bob would say—and what a beautiful life that turned out to be.
They were together for 50 years and married for 37 years. Life was filled with adventure and monotony, joys and sorrows. They navigated lows like job losses, deaths, and serious illnesses, as well as the highs of raising children, new homes, vacations, and life milestones. While life could be tough at times, they experienced so much more joy. Of those joys, Bob’s wife and children were his greatest source. Cheryl was the love of his life, and the adventures they shared together were endless, leading to stories that ceaselessly entertained family and friends. Their greatest adventure was raising their family. They welcomed their first son, Thomas, in 1990, to whom his dad would pass on his wit and entrepreneurial spirit. His second son, Steven, came in 1992, receiving from his dad his creativity, writing skills, and generous heart. His daughter, Jennifer, arrived in 1993, sporting her father’s dark curly hair and big personality.
Bob loved being a father and was one of the best. Always leaving work on time, he couldn’t wait to get home to play with his kids. They have fond memories of flocking to him when he would walk in the door, squealing “Daddy!!” and hanging off his legs, asking to play various games. He would spin them around, give them “foot rides” where they sat on his feet as he took big steps, and then run off to change out of his work clothes before continuing to play all kinds of made-up games for hours. He never missed a soccer game, a recital, a play, or any small or big event in his children’s lives. A true family man, he was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first granddaughter. He couldn’t wait to recreate these memories with her.
True to his nature, in 1990, with the support and encouragement of his wife, he also started his own company, Sonitek. From a “poor boy” selling Kool-Aid on the beach to the founder and president of a thriving and successful manufacturing corporation, Sonitek was his next pride and joy after his family. He was hardworking, devoted, creative, and brilliant in his knowledge of the field, but most importantly, he was generous. He loved and cared for his employees like family. He was so proud to have his two sons working in the family business.
With his children grown and flourishing in life, and the company operating smoothly, Bob was in a season of life balancing work and play. He loved a good martini, Led Zeppelin, watching the Yankees, complaining about Tom Brady being a traitor, making brilliant (only to him) “dad jokes” and puns, eating good food, and making sure he got his three meals a day at all costs (to Cheryl’s exasperation and his heartburn). Being a true extrovert, he filled his time with friends and family, especially on the golf course. Being an avid golfer, it’s fitting that his death involved his beloved hobby. His loved ones find peace knowing he was in such a happy, hopeful, and expectant place in life, doing what he loved.
Bob is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his three children, Thomas, Steven, and Jennifer; his son-in-law, Gabriel; his granddaughter, Maren; his two brothers and sister; and his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Loretta Bishop, and his brother, Jerry Bishop.
There are no words to capture who Bob was. The profound depth of sadness and heartbreak we feel over this loss speaks to just how big his personality was—how larger than life he was, and how wide his love for his family and friends stretched. In the Catholic faith, he died on a special feast day called Divine Mercy Sunday, which honors and celebrates God’s overwhelming love and mercy. How perfect for a man who loved so well.
Family and friends may call on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM with a Prayer Service at 3:30 PM at the GREGORY DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, 291 BRIDGEPORT AVENUE, MILFORD.
A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in mid June this year, in honor of Bob’s birthday. Further details will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 295 Benham St., Hamden, CT 06514.