Robert Anthony Zilnicki

Former Riverhead resident Robert Anthony Zilnicki of Williston, Vt., died Oct. 11 in Burlington, Vt., of multiple myeloma. He was 53.

According to family members, he fought cancer courageously and gracefully, never losing his wonderful sense of humor and appreciation for even the smallest miracles in life.

Mr. Zilnicki was born Feb. 5, 1958, in Riverhead to Balbina (Perkowski) and Walter Zilnicki and was a self-employed computer software technician.

He is survived by his wife, Laura (née Huggins), of Vermont; his sons, Robert, of Maryland, and Kevin, of Vermont; his daughter, Rachel, of Vermont; his mother, of Riverhead; his brothers, Stanley, Charles and Allan, all of Riverhead, William, of Jamesport, and Walter, of Aquebogue; and his sisters, Joann Densieski of Shoreham, Mary Silleck of Laurel, Patricia Stark of Dix Hills and Barbara Divello of Mattituck.

The family received friends Oct. 15 and 16 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service was held Oct. 17 at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead, the Rev. Robert Kuznik officiating. Interment followed at the church cemetery.