Robert "Bob" Brienza

Mr. Robert J. Brienza, known lovingly as “Bob” to family and friends, entered the arms of the Lord on Sunday, December 6, 2025.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Sunday, December 14th. from 12:00Noon-4:00PM.  During the visitation at 2:00PM there will be a prayer service offered by Reverend Arlou T. Buslon from St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, Linden.  The cremation in Rosehill Crematory in Linden will be private.  In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the National Kidney Foundation, either by mail at the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or online at http://www.kidney.org

Bob, the son of the late Lydia Boligianni Brienza and the late Moses Brienza was born on May 30, 1949, in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  He lived in Carteret for a few years before residing in Linden for forty-eight years prior to moving to South Amboy in 2019. 

Bob was a graduate of Linden High School class of '67 where his love of music took hold.  Bob was a self-taught guitarist and during high school his music teacher came to Bob’s house and told his proud parents that Bob had perfect pitch.  Having a natural gift for playing guitar, he was a member of various bands in high school.  Bob was the lead rhythm guitar member of “The Ecumenical Council” band that was formed with his friends from school and they played in various churches throughout the area, though mostly in Linden.  Later, another band called “Different Shade” came together and its focus was on rhythm, blues, funk and soul.  Bob’s favorite song is “Stormy Monday” which was written and first recorded by the electric blues guitarist T-Bone Walker in 1947.  Bob loved to play at various open mic nights and jam sessions throughout Union County.  He instilled the love of music in his sister, Loretta as he would always have jam session in the family home while she was growing up. 

Bob not only loved music, but other venues of art.  He spent his down time enjoying B movies, especially anything in the science fiction genre, while savoring his favorite meal, linguine with white clam sauce and shrimp.

Bob is survived by his sister, Loretta Brienza Lewman; his brother-in-law, Thomas Lewman; several cousins, first and second cousins, neighbors and friends.

For Bob, the guitar has played its last soulful chords here on earth.  However, we know that Bob now has a new stage where his mom and dad have their seats front and center and Bob has everyone jamming to his renditions of the music he loved so much.

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