Robert Friedman, Bayside resident and long-time waiter at Ben’s Deli in The Bay Terrace shopping center, passed away on June 7 at Booth Memorial Hospital due to an accident he had in his home. He was 54 years old.
Friedman, known as “Bob” or “Bobby,” grew up in Flushing and attended Newtown High School. He spent his younger days playing hockey in the minor leagues andwas a fan of the New York Rangers. He was also a veteran.
He worked at Boulder Creek steakhouse in Whitestone before he joined the Ben’s staff more than eight years ago. His coworkers remember him as a fantastic friend with a sense of humor. They describe him as a “people’s person” who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it.
Friedman had a deep love for animals. On his lunch break he went to feed the nearby squirrels leftover Rye bread from Ben’s or shell peanuts from Waldbaum’s. On his days off, he would travel to Central Park to visit the animals. He had his own pet, a turtle named Speedy.
When Friedman wasn’t spending time with animals, he would play his guitar or throw darts with his buddies. He excelled at music trivia and enjoyed going camping with his friends.
Friedman is survived by his wife of four years; his 29- and 21-year-old daughters; his mother; brother and sister; as well as his extended relatives and his Ben’s Deli family.
Because of his passion for wildlife, donations in his memory can be made to the Development Department of the Wildlife Conservation Society at 2300 South Boulevard in the Bronx.
By Tracy Soren
