Obituary of Robert P. Spadafora

Robert P. Spadafora (Bob) passed away peacefully at age 74, surrounded by family, on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Born in Syracuse on June 30, 1950, son of the late Thomas and Jane (Roberts) Spadafora. Predeceased by his loving wife of 48 years, Susan (Graney) Spadafora; brother, David Melloch Spadafora; and Susan’s parents: Joseph and Eleanor Graney. Survived by his children: daughters, Kristin Snyder (Chad Smith) and Robin Spadafora, and son, Ryan Spadafora (Elizabeth Laneri); grandchildren, Bryce Spadafora, Devin and Autumn Rex, Emma, Avery and Luke Snyder, and Milo Money; great-grandson, Gideon Rex; his in-laws, Bill and Kathy Locastro, and Jean Sitton-Birch; nephews, Todd, Scott and Marc Locastro, Peter and Daniel Pirro. Bob graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1968 and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. John Fisher in 1974. Bob had two great loves in his life - his childhood sweetheart, Susan, whom he married in 1973; and music, starting his first band, “The Blue Lights”, at age 14 in 1964. Both stood the test of time. Bob and Sue would spend 48 years together before her death in 2021 and The Blue Lights performed in various iterations for over 45 years. The Blue Lights played hundreds, if not thousands, of weddings throughout the central NY region in the 70s, 80s, and 90s with a core lineup of Bob on lead guitar, vocalist Sam Giangreco, bassist Mick Savino, John Bertonica on drums, and the late Ron Garropy on keyboard. In 1996, the band “Streetwise” came calling and Bob began playing lead guitar with them for over 20 years before they morphed into the band we know today as “Roc Street”. Musicians from both those bands have included Dom Calisto on vocals, multi-instrumentalist Paul Killion, bassist John Fisher, and drummers: Dave Butts, Scott Wainwright, and Ray Holman. In 2009 Bob began playing acoustically as a soloist, and then eventually with his son Ryan as “Key Dreamers”. When Ryan left for Denver, Key Dreamers added Chris Englert on bass. Ryan returned in 2018 and “Seein’ Double" was formed. Bob played his last gig with Seein’ Double at Twisted Rail, Canandaigua, on August 4th, 2024. The last song he ever sang was Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”. He played right until the end. Calling hours on Monday, September 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fuller Funeral Home; 190 Buffalo St., Canandaigua, NY. Memorial service will immediately follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bob's memory can be made to the Save the Music Foundation at www.savethemusic.org/ To share a memory or express condolences online, please visit www.fullerfh.com.