Robert Gracey

February 8, 1947 — July 24, 2024

Robert Raymond Gracey (Bob) was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Thousand Oaks, California in 1964 where he met Barbara Spagnuolo. Bob attended college simultaneously as he began a career at GTE. Bob started his career as a telecommunications lineman and worked his way up to management. In 2004 Bob retired from Verizon as a Planning Engineer.

Bob married Barbara Spagnuolo in February 1968 to find out only days later he received a draft notice. Bob was sent to Fort Bragg for Basic Training and stationed at Fort Sil in Oklahoma. Bob and Barbara lived off base in Oklahoma until Bob was deployed to Germany.

Bob returned to Thousand Oaks, California and met his daughter Debora for the first time when she was nearly 10 months old.

Bob is the son of Joseph Edward Gracey & Sonia Gracey and brother of Joseph Edward Gracey Jr. Bob is survived by his loving wife Barbara Gracey of more than 56 years, his daughter Debora Gracey-Shaw, son-in-law Robert Shaw, Caitlin Shaw, Julianne Shaw and sister Barbara Gracey. All are longtime residents of Newbury Park.

Bob loved the outdoors including boating, fishing, camping, hiking, gardening (just to name a few). Bob was a handyman and could do just about anything around the house from electrical to finish carpentry. He loved cars - especially his Oldsmobile 442!

Bob cherished his family and friends. He would do just about anything for them from hosting annual holiday parties to planning surprise birthday and graduation parties. He enjoyed cooking and was an incredible baker!

Bob passed away surrounded by family members who loved him unconditionally and will love him for eternity.

Services will be held at St Paschal Baylon Church in Thousand Oak on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, please offer instead donations to The MDS Foundation https://www.mds-foundation.org/learnmore/