Obituaries

Robert “Rob” Graffeo, 61, of Rumson, New Jersey, passed away on June 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Rob was a devoted husband and father, proud grandfather, visionary technology executive, trusted mentor, philanthropist, and cherished friend whose impact was felt far beyond the organizations where he worked. Throughout a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he helped shape the evolution of technology within the financial services industry and was an early pioneer in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Rob began his career at Salomon Brothers in 1991 and went on to hold senior leadership positions at Credit Suisse, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and J.P. Morgan. He later served as Chief Information Officer of Angelo, Gordon & Co., where he helped guide the firm’s technology strategy through a transformative period and continued in that leadership role following its acquisition by TPG.

While Rob’s professional accomplishments were remarkable, they were only part of his story. He was a man of deep conviction: bold, decisive, endlessly curious, and unwavering in his beliefs. Demanding but fair, he held himself and those around him to the highest standards. He challenged people to be better, believed in excellence, and led with both intensity and purpose. As those who knew him best often said, Rob always went to 11.

Above all else, Rob was a devoted family man. He cherished the life he built with his beloved wife, Patti, and found joy in the routines and traditions they shared together. Every week, he looked forward to their Friday night date nights, and enjoyed slow Saturday mornings that started with breakfast at the diner. At home, Rob was happiest sitting in his favorite recliner chair with his loyal French Bulldog, Maia, curled up on his lap, scrolling on his iPad while enjoying his evening game shows.

Summer was his favorite season. He loved spending long days swimming in the pool, firing up the barbecue, and spending time with Patti and their children. Those simple moments surrounded by family were among his greatest joys. In recent years, Rob had been eagerly looking forward to the next chapter of life in Florida, where he dreamed of enjoying sunshine and poolside afternoons year-round.

On Sunday's from September through February, you could find Rob sitting in his recliner chair, TV blasting with Red Zone on, and managing his fantasy football team. Ever since he was a child, he cheered for the New York Giants and never wavered in his support for them. That passion only grew as he got older. In the 1980s he briefly worked as a security guard at Giants Stadium, giving him a front-row seat to the game he loved. He became a proud season ticket holder and remained fiercely loyal through every victory, heartbreak, rebuilding year, and playoff run. No matter the odds or the standings, Rob never lost faith that next season would be the season that the Giants would make a remarkable comeback and find their way back to the Super Bowl. His optimism and loyalty to Big Blue reflected the way he approached life itself: always hopeful, always believing the best was yet to come.

Outside of work, Rob embraced life with enthusiasm. He was passionate about technology, high-performance automobiles, electric vehicles, music, and his beloved New York Giants. He loved playing guitar, exploring new ideas, and discussing the future with anyone willing to engage in thoughtful conversation. His curiosity never faded, and his enthusiasm was contagious.

One of Rob’s favorite places was Benjamin Prime, where “Rob’s Table” became a gathering place synonymous with friendship, laughter, spirited conversation, and camaraderie. Whether discussing technology, debating the latest Giants season, sharing stories, or simply enjoying the company of those he cared about, Rob had a gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel welcome.

Rob is survived by his beloved wife, Patti; their children, Samantha and her spouse Peter, Alexa, and Nicholas; his treasured granddaughter, Isabella; his mother, Juliet; his four brothers; three sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, colleagues, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his father, Anthony “Tony” Graffeo.

Rob’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the careers he helped shape, the friendships he nurtured, and the family he loved so deeply. He will be remembered for his intellect, generosity, passion, humor, and the unmistakable energy with which he approached every aspect of life.

Though he will be profoundly missed, those who knew and loved him will carry his spirit forward, living with the same curiosity, courage, loyalty, and determination that defined his remarkable life.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 24th from 4-7 pm, with family eulogy to begin at 6:30 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to The St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital,  https://www.stjude.org/donate, philanthropy he loyally supported for many years.