Robert Filete in uniform during WWII Retired mechanic and former longtime Massapequa resident, Robert "Bob" E. Filete died on July 15, 2008 in Little River, South Carolina. He was 85.

Born in Brooklyn to Anthony and Josephine LoBianco Filete, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served in Florida and Panama repairing and maintaining Naval Aircraft. After his discharge in 1947, he settled in Massapequa and worked at Republic Aircraft Company in Farmingdale where he was sent around the world to oversee airplane upgrades. He retired from Grumman Aircraft Corporation in Bethpage and had lived on North Manhattan

Avenue in Massapequa for 49 years. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #1066 and the Maria Regina R.C. Church, both in Massapequa, and was a member of the Gr umma n Retiree Club. In 1983, he

Mr. Filete leaves behind his children: Donald of Bethpage, Robert Jr. of Holden, Massachusetts, and Janice Kelly and her husband, Edward of Rixeville, Virginia. His brother, Arthur and his wife Patricia of Massapequa, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren also survive him. He was predeceased by his first wife Frances (nee Massaro) and his second wife Betty.

A Funeral Service was held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was interred in the church's memorial garden.