Obituary
Robert Norman Covyeau, 85, of North Fort Myers, passed away April 6, 2020, at Page Rehabilitation Center, in Fort Myers, FL. Born January 14, 1935, in Chicago, IL., he was the son of Henry Joseph Covyeau and Mary Sando. Bob was known throughout his life as a talented trumpet player. He studied under some of the best trumpet instructors in Chicago and continued his trumpet education at the collegiate level at Manhattan School of Music. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958, continuing as a reservist until 1963. He then went on to become a music educator, sharing his love of music and his beloved trumpet.
Bob received his bachelor’s degree in music performance-trumpet and his master’s degree in music education from the Manhattan School of Music. He taught private students, band and orchestra programs at the primary, secondary and collegiate levels in New Jersey for 15 years and Florida for an additional 15 years.
As a trumpet player, Bob had his own music business for a number of years. He also played with Johnny Mathis, Patti Page, Myron Floren, Bob Hope, Ice Capades, Norwegian Cruisline, Perry Fotos, Stan Spiro, and many others.
Bob was an avid Arizona Cardinals football fan, following them from Chicago to St. Louis to the Phoenix area. Before there was anything but local television stations in the N. Ft. Myers area, there was a large satellite dish in the back yard to get the Cardinals football games. He would follow the team from scouting to draft day to the end of the season without falter and could tell you about all of the players and their statistics.
Robert will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 37 years, Debra; his sons Robert (Rosemary), David (Jeannine), Daniel (Krystal); his daughter, Linda Lomax (William); grandchildren, Jennifer Krivjansky, Amanda Warnock, David Rastellini and Gina Covyeau and great-grandchildren, Parker and Emma Rastellini and Skyler, Logan and Cameron Krivjansky. In addition, he leaves his brother-in-law, Terry Jordan (Beth) along with many nieces, nephews, extended and dear friends. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Henry, his mother, Mary Slack, his sisters, Nancy Brooks and Mary Ann Jordan.
The family will have a memorial gathering at a later date. A special thanks goes to Page Rehab who cared for Bob over the last year and a half. Donations may be made to Manhattan School of Music.
Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, Fort Myers, assisted with arrangements.
Cruz Family