Robert (Bobby Dee) Dongara, 92, of Catskill passed away on August 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born July 29, 1934, in New Brunswick, NJ to the late Joseph and Jennie Dongara.

Bobby Dee moved with his family to Brooklyn as a young boy. He grew up in the Gravesend and Bensonhurst neighborhoods, where he attended Lafayette High School. From an early age, he was fascinated by anything mechanical. What began with repairing bicycles eventually led him to open his own automotive repair shop while still in his early twenties. Largely self-taught, Bobby mastered auto mechanics, body repair, and metal fabrication. When a Porsche pulled into the shop, he was enthralled. Shortly thereafter he bought his first Porsche and turned his auto shop into a foreign car specialty shop, concentrating on Porsche and Mercedes.

In the early 1970s, Bobby was ready for a change. He bought a property in Catskill, New York, not far from Hunter Mountain, where he loved to downhill ski. With few Porsche or Mercedes in the area, he opened his new shop servicing Volkswagens from a small shed. It didn't take long for Porsche and Mercedes owners to discover his exceptional talent, and customers soon traveled from far and wide to have him work on their cars. Business boomed, and Bobby became widely known as "Dr. Dee," the Porsche genius. He restored classic Porsches, performed outstanding body and paint work, and was a mechanical wizard. After a remarkable career spanning decades, Bobby retired in 2014.

In 1980, Bobby met Carolyn, who was working as a waitress at a local diner five years later they married.  They loved hosting friends, traveling to unusual places, raising their beloved dogs and enjoyed a wonderful, loving life together.

Bobby Dee loved life and lived it to the fullest. He had a smile, charm, and sense of humor you couldn’t resist, and was a chick magnet right up until the end. He enjoyed many things, including dogs, cars, spending time with friends, swimming, walking, and boxing.

Survived by his beloved wife of 39 years Carolyn Dongara of Catskill; daughter Robin Bernardo of Brooklyn; dear cousin Chip Dongara, and niece Jodie (Danny) Venturino; as well as many cousins and friends from near and far.

Bobby is predeceased by his parents and brother Joseph Dongara.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, from 3-6 p.m. at Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. Burial with graveside prayers will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at St. Peter’s Cemetery, 500 Somerset St., New Brunswick, NJ.

Messages of condolence may be made to TraverMc.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Breanna Lennon DelVecchio of Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, Catskill.

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