Robert D. Matturro, Jr., of Stamford, Conn., was a father, brother, nephew, stepson, cousin, and friend to many who mourn him after his sudden passing on Friday, March 13, 2026, his 62nd birthday.
From Rye, Robert attended Rye High School before pursuing a career in acting and entertaining.
After signing on with Joy Todd Casting, Robert appeared in films such as, “Heaven Help Us” (1985) and “9 1/2 Weeks” (1986). He was a featured breakdancer with the television show that followed “American Bandstand,” called “This Week’s Music.” He also performed in live shows on tour with LL Cool J.
The challenging nature of acting and performing in the 1980s led Rob to shift focus to his own businesses, and there he enjoyed much success.
Partnering with a friend, Robert worked as a DJ at well-known establishments of the day, such as Sue’s Rendezvous, Little Dick’s, and 21 North. Rob loved music and enjoyed getting people up and dancing! He was also known to go into a breakdance himself and lead the way with pop/robot/freestyle and many other popular dances from the ’80s and ’90s.
Soon after DJing, Rob established his own business in construction and home remodeling, Larsen Design and Remodeling, named after his maternal grandmother (Helen Larsen) and his mother (also Helen Larsen).
Larsen Design and Remodeling was in operation for many years, earning lots of praise for fine work with a focus on kitchen and bathroom renovations. In his own Valhalla home, he created an entire second story to the structure, adding great value to the property. Some of his design work is still being enjoyed by his clients today.
Robert had a keen and creative mind, and early on he came up with the concept for a device to hold a mobile phone on the car dash so one could use it hands-free. He registered a patent on his idea, which he called “Clip-this,” and shared it with investors to get it off the ground.
He also cared about our environment and later in his life, he had a small business called Urban Home & Office. With the motto of “Rethink – Reuse – Recycle,” he created beautiful furniture pieces out of scrap wood that would otherwise have just gone into landfills.
Adding plumbing pipes and staining the scrap wood any color the client liked, he’d make unique desks, closet racks, shelving, and other furnishings. Urban Home & Office delivered a modern-industrial look to restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and more.
Rob’s life-long hobby was his love of boating, and he owned and operated many boats in Rye, Port Chester, Greenwich, and Stamford over the years. He also served as crew and co-pilot on excursions to Block Island on his friend’s converted tugboat, contributing to many safe journeys out of Norwalk, Conn.
An exceptional captain, he knew his charts, and you were always safe on the boat with Rob. Most outings included lots of fabulous music — loud disco, mostly — and great times. His boating skills were so excellent, that his sister often joked, “My brother, Rob, can parallel park a boat in the water!”
As much as he loved music and boating, nothing was more important to Rob than family, and the biggest loves of Rob’s life were his children whom he leaves behind: Melinda Matturro, a computer professional, of Valhalla, N.Y.; Robert Joseph (RJ) Matturro, currently earning his second masters degree in Sydney, Australia; and Dylan Matturro, following in his Dad’s footsteps by working in the boating industry, also of Valhalla. Together with their mother, Lori-Ann Matturro, Robert shared many years of deep commitment to raising his children whom he adored. No one could be prouder of all of their accomplishments as they are making their way in this world. His children were his greatest love, and he was filled with deep gratitude and joy whenever he was with them.
Rob had many endearing qualities. One of his oldest and best friends said, “Wherever he went, Rob lit up the room with his kindness, his great sense of humor, and his positivity. He loved to make people laugh, and he genuinely cared about people. That’s his legacy.”
Robert is predeceased by his parents, Robert D. Matturro, Sr., of Greenwich, Conn., and Helen Garcia-Larsen (Adolfo) of Greenwich, both formerly of Rye.
In addition to his children, Robert also leaves behind his loving sisters, Barbara Matturro Barclay of Cleveland; and Holly D. Matturro of Greenwich; his step-mother, Valerie Matturro of Riverside, Conn.; his children’s mother, Lori-Ann Matturro of Valhalla; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many dear friends who are as close to family as you can get. So many will miss him so much.
A memorial service will be held in the near future. Condolences may be sent to his children at 60 Wilson Ave., Valhalla, NY 10595.
