Bob Masella
This year The Bridge is proud to honor Bob Masella with our 2022 Outstanding Community Service Award. For over 40 years Bob’s leadership and hard work have helped us help our neighbors in need in our community. Bob grew up in North Bergen, NJ and graduated from high school in 1963. He attended Trenton State College and graduated with a BA degree in Health and Physical Education. He received his Master’s Degree and Principal certificate from Seton Hall University in 1973. He went on to get his Master’s Program Degree in Urban Education at St. Peter’s College in 2000.
Bob began his career in 1967 at North Bergen High School (NBHS). He taught, coached and worked as Health & Physical Education Department Chairman, retiring in 2007 after 40 years. In 2003 he was honored as both the NBHS and Hudson County – Teacher of the Year. He was a Union negotiator for AFT-CIO. Although teaching was his profession, coaching is his vocation. He started coaching football at NBHS in 1967 and is still coaching after 52 years at Caldwell High School. The only 3 years off were to watch his sons play college football.
He is proud to be involved in serving the community. Bob served on West Caldwell Council for 15 years and is presently the Director of Special Events for the Township. He is President of The Bridge Board of Trustees, President of the West Essex Unico Foundation and an active member of Vero Amici, a West Essex service organization. He was honored in 2011 as Essex County Man of the Year by Unico National – Essex Chapter. He is listed in 2021 Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide for his achievement and leadership.
Presently, the most important thing in his life is the Family. He has been married to his high school prom date, Joan, for 51 years. The proud father of Dr. Robert and Nicole Masella, Dr. Mike and Dr. Lindsay Masella — and of course, his pride and joy are his 7 grandchildren, Isabella, Grace, Katherine, Tyler, Shane, William and Lilly.
