Robert J. Spatafore

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CALIFORNIA-Robert J. Spatafore passed away just a few days short of his 70th birthday, after a valiant battle with cancer, Robert (Bob, Spats) John Spatafore joined his beloved parents John and Rose Marie Eaquinta Spatafore in the arms of the Lord on Feb. 8, 2010.
He is survived by his sister Grace Keele of Helper, Utah; his brothers John (Deborah) of San Luis Obispo, David (Lisa) of Salt Lake City, nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to mention (many in the SF Bay Area).
Notre Dame High School in Utah and the University of San Francisco provided him with the credentials for a successful 30 year career as teacher, dean, assistant principal and principal in the San Francisco Unified School District at Pelton, Portola Junior High, McAteer, Balboa and Lowell. He was a strong advocate for homeless children and won the Travelers Aid Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award in 1993.
Bob was a supporting member of CRTA, UESF, CTA; tutored at the SF County Jail, Economic Opportunity Council and Hunters’ Point EOC programs and “moonlighted” at Candlestick Park. He also proudly served on the USF Education Alumni Board.
Bob was a well-known collector of MGM memorabilia, records, books, CDs and movies and regularly sent DVDs to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He held a special fondness for the MGM lion Leo. Besides his devotion to family, Bob’s passions included his four Dobermans (Duke survives him), his koi pond and all the birds and squirrels in San Bruno. Bob included his many good friends in his definition of his California family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Funeral mass for Bob was celebrated, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at 10 a.m., St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Helper, Utah. Family received friends at the church in Helper Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Committal service, Price City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends may share memories of Bob at mitchellfuneralhome.net.