Getting to Know Bob Pessia – Knights of Columbus Grand Knight
Bob was born January 31 in Olean, N.Y., just across the Pa. border from Bradford, Pa. where he grew up.
He was the oldest of 3 boys. His father worked for Dresser Industries, an oilfield equipment factory, and his
mother was a bookkeeper for a Chevrolet dealership, and later for a vending machines company. It is
interesting that even though Bradford was a small oil town, there were other factories like Zippo cigarette lighters and Case knives made there. Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Kendall all produced oil in the surrounding area.
Bob says his childhood was typical and simple growing up in a small Irish/Italian community “getting into trouble like boys will do.” He had a large extended family nearby; his paternal grandmother had 16 children! Sadly, due to pneumonia and other health issues only 9 children survived. In his early days Bob joined his friends playing baseball and midget league football but soon realized he didn’t have athletic potential. When he was in junior high, he got a guitar for Christmas, and his brother did also. They taught themselves to play and soon had a little band going with a friend who played drums. He says they made a lot of racket in the basement, but no one complained (except the dog!) Later in high school they added a keyboard, and soon a regular band was born; and they named themselves “Movement.” They began playing for school events and later for K of C dances and became quite popular. In 1969 after graduation from high school, Bob went to work for a Pennzoil garage in Bradford as a mechanic while continuing to play in the band. At this time many of Bob’s friends were joining the National Guard, and so after turning 18, in February 1970, he also enlisted. He was stationed at Fort Polk Louisiana for 6 months for Basic and Infantry training as a Mortar Gunner. When he came back to Bradford, he resumed working at the garage and playing in the band. It was soon after this he met his future wife, Joan, at a dance gig another band had. They married in 1972 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Bradford. They have 2 sons, Bobby, and Tom, 2 grandsons, Joey and Nick, and are expecting a granddaughter in June.
In his leisure time, Bob helps Joan with gardening, enjoys boating, goes to car shows with his Corvette, and watches the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have taken camping trips to New Mexico, Arizona, and South Dakota. They have traveled to Ireland and Italy. They hope to return to Italy some day for an extended trip and search for possible family.
Years ago when Bob was a child, his grandmother was heartbroken that he and his brothers weren’t raised Catholic. Because of his deep commitment to his faith and his involvement in church activities, I’m sure she is smiling down on him now.
Thank you, Bob for your commitment to the KC's and all you do for our church!