Robert “Bob” R. Gill, 75, of Punta Gorda, Florida died Thursday, February 2, 2012 at his residence in Punta Gorda.

Robert Gill, better known as Bob to those who knew him started his business career owning Gill’s Florist in Union City, NJ in 1960. From there he and his wife Diane moved to Warwick, New York and started Willow Grove Garden Center. After 15 years of business in Warwick, they decided to move south and settled on Port Charlotte Florida. Bob was to be in retirement but after only a few months he became restless and decided to purchase Flowers by Jim in Punta Gorda. The business grew quickly and the name was then changed to Punta Gorda Flower Shop while also opening Port Charlotte Florist in the Promenades Mall. The building of Port Charlotte Florist in Murdock began in 1983 and at one point Bob and Diane had 3 locations for Port Charlotte Florist while also owning Parker’s Florist. Over the years, and through many changes, Port Charlotte was once again one location. Bob and Diane then retired in 2007 to their home in Punta Gorda.

Bob was someone everyone knew. He enjoyed people and was always willing to lend a helping hand. When his children attended Charlotte High, you could always find Bob at the games cheering on his boys in football or wrestling. He was an active participant in everything his children did, his world revolved around his wife and children, he was an excellent husband, father and grandfather. Bob’s pure joy came from sharing his home in Punta Gorda with friends and family and enjoying the surroundings he and his wife Diane had built. His willingness to help his children and grandchildren were always apparent. You did not have to speak to Bob for long before you knew he had 5 children and many grandchildren. Family always came first for Bob. Not only did he show his love for his family every day, but his concern for their well being and future was always important to him. Bob’s ability to make everyone feel like they could accomplish what they set out to do with faith and a lot of hard work was one more thing he was greatly loved for. Flowers and the business were Bob’s greatest passion. The smiles and joy that Bob could deliver when delivering flowers was irreplaceable. He loved being able to make people smile even in the worst of times. We will all miss the laughter and love of Bob but we will not forget him. In his final good-bye we will surround Bob with all the flowers he so dearly loved, as that is who made him who he was and would be the way he would want us all to remember him.

Survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Diane Gill of Punta Gorda; two daughters, Donna (Steve) Cardenas and Mary (David) LeClercq both of Punta Gorda; two sons, Dennis (Linda) Gill of Punta Gorda and Mike Gill of Bonita Springs, FL; two sisters, Karen Iadarola of Jupiter, FL and Kathy Gill of Punta Gorda; two brothers, Harold Gill of Silver Springs, MD and Jimmy Gill of Fairlawn, NJ; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Robert R. Gill, Jr. in 1997.

Visitation will be held 6-8 PM Monday, February 6, 2012 at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte and at the church Tuesday from 10 AM until service time. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at First Alliance Church of Port Charlotte. Interment with military honors by a U.S. Army Honor Guard will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the memory book and extend condolences to the family. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.