Robert J. Fyne

Robert James Fyne, 78,  a longtime resident of Fords, passed away in the comfort of home on December 15, surrounded by love.  Born in New York City, Robert grew up in Elizabeth where his adventures included being a pin boy, bible camp from Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church at Silver Bay, Lake George, NY, the Big Twelve at the Post Office, and a proud member of the Jefferson High School Class of 1955, cherishing those nicknamed friends throughout his life.  After high school Robert served in the Air Force then went on to earn his B.A. at Jersey City State College.  Recalled into the service during the Berlin Crisis, Robert was stationed at the Chaumont Air Base, Haute-Marne, France.

Returning to the states Robert taught briefly in Hillside and Carteret. He continued his education at Seton Hall with an M.A. and earned his Ph.D. at New York University.  Robert was an English professor at Kean University, Union, New Jersey, for 48 years, and influenced many students with his Russian Literature course taught on location in Moscow and Petersburg.  His over 25 trips built lasting memories and even four marriages. Often those students followed up with the course in Russian film.   Author of two books, HOLLYWOOD PROPAGANDA and LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY, these works portray the image of the fighting man in World War II films and led to an exciting film course.  A well respected scholar of broad interest but pursued special research in Shakespeare, James T. Farrell, J.P. Donleavy, Kurt Vonnegut,  John Steinbeck, and Russian Literature especially of Dostoevsky.  This added to his extensive work on World War II, the pivotal event of the 20th century.  His scholarship garnered NEH Fellowships at Cornell University, Northwestern University, and Harvard.  Robert’s articles appeared in many journals and he served as the book review editor for the Journal of Film and History and as a captivating speaker, Dr. Fyne presented papers across the country and around the world, including at Memorial  in Caen, France. His life was filled with travel, classical music and concerts, his books and newspapers and good seats at Shea and Citifield to watch the NYMets.  An accomplished chef, Bob enjoyed fine dining in New York and his beloved Paris, France.  His kindness and generosity are legend to those touched by his life.  

Robert is survived by his wife of 22 years, Jo-Ann Dorio, their marriage an ecstatic adventure, and his only daughter, Vanessa Budd, her husband Howard Budd and grandchildren, Stephanie, Shannon, Remington, Howard, and Brandi,  Also his sister Ruth Partazana of Toms River and her loving family and his many nieces and nephews, his mother-in-law, Vera Dorio of Clark, and the rest of the Dorio family.

A member of The American Legion Iselin Post 0471 and many professional organizations including Film and History and The Popular Culture Association.

A Funeral Service will be at Krowicki Gorny Memorial Home, 211 Westfield Ave., Clark on Saturday at 10AM.  Entombment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia.  Visitation will be on Friday from 2-4 and 6-9.

In lieu of flowers we request donations to the Mother Seton Regional High School Fund Drive in their quest for a new boiler.  Robert was fond of his connections to the women of ‘Holy Mother’ and their pursuit of knowledge.  Send donations to MSRHS, Mrs. Laura Flammia, 1 Valley Road, Clark NJ 07066

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