Robert Gerard Sprake of Lodi passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, January 24th at the age of 53 years. Robert was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on January 31, 1961. The family moved to California in 1962 and he lived in Lodi and Stockton since 1965.
A graduate of St. Anne’s School and Tokay High School, Robert was active on the Diving and Wrestling teams and attended Drafting and Design classes at San Joaquin Delta College.
In 1984 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on active sea duty aboard the USS Fox CG33 and the USS McKee AS-41 achieving the rank of HT3. He was awarded the Sea Service Deployment ribbon with one bronze star. In 1987, Robert re-enlisted and was transferred to the Naval Reserve Center at Rough and Ready Island in Stockton where he served until his honorable discharge in 1992.
Robert worked for many years as a welder and pipe fitter for Holly Sugar in Tracy; a brief time as subcontractor in the construction industry; and currently was a traffic safety engineer for Far West Safety in Lodi.
Robert loved working on vintage automobiles and muscle cars from the late 1960’s and was preparing to restore a 1958 GMC pickup. He was a jack of all trades and his talents as a fabricator were impressive. He enjoyed vehicle auctions, travel and vacations and the company of family and friends. Robert was an avid fisherman and could be found fishing on the Mokelumne River during salmon season daily after work and on days off.
Robert was preceded in death by his brother Thomas and is survived by his daughters Brenna and Karli; parents Robert and Marilyn Sprake; sister Diane Koenig (Mark) nieces Lissa, Julee Sharyl Koenig; brother John Sprake (Kelly) nephews Michael, Nicholas and nieces Marissa and Natalie Sprake.
VISITATION
No visitation will be held
SERVICES
A Rosary will be held on Feb. 2, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, 831 industrial Way, Lodi CA.
A memorial service will be held on Feb. 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home.
INTERMENT
Private service