Robert’s Story

Site created on January 3, 2021

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need." Hebrews 4:16

My Bob was diagnosed with lymphoma large cell B last summer, an aggressive cancer, but treatable. We both tested positive for covid mid October, both with mild symptoms. Chemo continued, nasty stuff, PET scan, half way point of treatments, showed NO CANCER! Chemo continued. December 6 Bob woke up with a fever and had to go back to the hospital. Bacterial pneumonia, which traveled to his blood. We've known life at our house without Bob in it for 26 days. We DON'T like it. Face time and oxygen masks don't go well together. We were hoping Bob would be home for Christmas but his health took a turn that made that plan impossible. 

 In the late hours of Tuesday My Bob was moved to the ICU. At midnight they put Bob on bipap, at 2 am they put him on a ventilator. At 3 am Bob's heart stopped. They did CPR, got a heart beat and called me for the 3rd time. Wednesday we met with palliative care  and the ICU team, to decide how we wanted to proceed. They asked us to tell them about who Bob is......We told them he is our EVERYTHING! He lights up a room, he feeds off of human relationships, he never leaves a place without making a new friend, he sings the tampon song in the middle of woodmans with his teenage daughters at his side(but they would leave as soon as he started singing🤭) and we will fight as hard for him as he is fighting for us! We are a family of faith! And we have so many people praying for his healing. We are not giving up! We believe in MIRACLES! 

Everyone agreed we'd continue treatment and see how he responds for the next 24 hours. With kidneys shutting down, heart failure and breathing complications we needed a miracle and we got one!!!!! His kidneys are producing urine. His heart is still beating and his need for oxygen is getting less.

Bob is still critical but so many baby steps have happened.  We are storming the gates of heaven and asking God to continue to heal Bob completely and we are so thankful for all your prayers as well. We give all the glory to God and proclaim him the greatest physician!!!

We're requesting  videos of your favorite Bob memory and what he means to you. We want to show Bob, when he is able to watch them, how loved and needed he is. This man's best medicine is interaction with people!!!! Please PM any of us and we will add it to the video messages already received! 

We love you and God knows we still need him this side of heaven, he is our World!❤

Happy New Year!

Newest Update

Journal entry by natalie TROIA

Here is Dad's Obituary with visitation and Funeral information. 

 

Troia, Robert August

CROSS PLAINS - Robert August Troia, 74, went into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on Jan. 14, 1947, in Madison, Wis., to Joseph and Elizabeth (Johnson) Troia. Bob spent his childhood in Madison's notorious Greenbush neighborhood. He spent many beloved years working with his parents and tight-knit extended family at The Italian Village Restaurant and Troia's Steakhouse, where he was not only employed, but where he entertained everyone with his larger-than-life personality, smiling brown eyes and charismatic charm. Bob continued working in the restaurant business for many years in the Madison area. In 1988, with their strong work ethic and ambition, Bob and his wife, Cindi, started Badgerland Chemical and Supply Company in Middleton, where he proudly served the local community as a businessman for the past 34 years. He had a special place in his heart for employing at-risk individuals and was always able to pick out the diamonds in the rough. He impacted countless lives that left many thankful hearts.

Bob was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Madison where he loved his church family and served as a board member and devoted messenger of the Gospel. Bob was never happier than when he was hosting parties and sharing with others. Bob never met a stranger, only friends in waiting.

Family was everything to Bob, and family also included fur and four legs. He opened his home to exchange students, who quickly became part of the family. Bob was a father figure (even to his own siblings whom he loved very much and was very proud of) and mentor to many. He spent much of his time gladly attending volleyball tournaments, basketball games, church programs, plays and school events. Bob was very proud of all his children. He loved the holidays, and always made sure that all of them were home with him to celebrate in true Troia fashion. He was immensely proud of his Sicilian roots and loved celebrating with his friends and family every year at Festa Italia. Bob fought courageously to stay with his family through many illnesses for as long as the good Lord allowed.

Our dearest husband, loving father, brother and son's love for Jesus, amazing spirit and love for others will live on through all of us. Bob brightened the lives of many, and he will be deeply missed.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Cynthia; children, Chad (Melissa), Jessica (Tim) Jayroe, Natalie (Tony) Lage, Lauren (Marc) Brown, Andrea Troia, and Joshua (Kayleigh); grandchildren, Reagann, Cale, Tucker, Robby, Christian, Lena, Logan, Micah, Emerson, and Joshua Robert II (due in March); mother, Elizabeth Troia; brothers, Joseph (Lynn) Troia and Brett (Kimberley) Troia; sisters, Judy (John) Wettengel, Leslie (John) Menichini, and Jennifer (David) Gulbrand; grandpup, Sam; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Robert is preceded in death by his son, Robby; father, Joseph; brother, Gregory; sister, Leisa Douglas; and father-in-law, Robert Radtke.

A special thank you to Meriter Hospital ICU doctors and nurses for the amazing care and compassion they gave to Bob, as well as heartwarming appreciation to Pastor Jason and Laurel Zobel.

Bob's (COVID SAFE) visitation will be at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 110 North Whitney Way, Madison, Wis., on Friday, Jan. 29 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. His (COVID SAFE) funeral will be at Mount Olive Church, Saturday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. The funeral service on Saturday will be available via livestream on the Mount Olive Lutheran Church Facebook page, for those who cannot attend in person.

At a future date we will have a celebration of Bob's life; look for an announcement of date, time, and locations in late summer or early fall.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Mount Olive Lutheran School: 110 North Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53705.

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