Rensselaer- Robert ("Bob") Rocco Giammatteo, 86, of East Greenbush, New York died Wednesday, April 11, 2018 with his children at his side in Fort Myers, Florida. Bob is predeceased by his parents, Rinaldo and Filomena Giammatteo, and sister, Rose Dahowski, survived by his wife Catherine, his sister Edith Luca, his loving children, Catherine (Larry) Mele and Robert (Jennifer) Giammatteo, and his four prized grandchildren, Nicholas, Lauren Rose, Miles, and Oliver. Bob was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, NY, graduating from Roosevelt High School. He attended SUNY Albany, where he completed his undergraduate and Master's degrees in 1953 and 1954, respectively. While an undergraduate, Bob made many close, lifelong friends in the Edward Eldred Potter Club fraternity. Bob served in the Army for two years as an intelligence officer, stationed in Austria and Italy. After his service, he taught French at the Orleans American High School in Orleans, France for two years. Upon returning from Europe, Bob started his teaching career in New York State. He served for many years as the Director of Guidance and Counseling in the East Greenbush Central School District, at Columbia High School. There, he took great pleasure assisting graduating students as they took the next step forward in their lives. While working at Columbia High School, Bob attained his Doctorate in Education, also from SUNY Albany. He also served as an adjunct professor at Sage Colleges and the College of St. Rose. After retiring, Bob spent over twenty years enjoying life, splitting time between East Greenbush, NY and Fort Myers Beach, FL. He specifically relished the last eight years of his life, enjoying time with his beloved grandchildren. Bob had a uniquely calm and engaging way of conversing with family, friends, and strangers alike. He was a gentle, dignified, and caring man throughout his life, and he brightened the lives of those who knew him. Family and friends are invited to visit W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home in Rensselaer, NY for calling hours from 4-7pm on Wednesday, April 18th. Private funeral services will be held for family members.