Robert Pellegrino began college at Iona University and completed his degree at Jersey City State University, earning a bachelor's degree in education.

He started his career as an elementary school teacher in Bloomfield and, while teaching, earned two master's degrees from Seton Hall University in Educational Administration and Special Education. He later served as principal at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Mountainside and at Carteret and Fairview Elementary Schools in Bloomfield, dedicating more than 25 years to school leadership.

In 1998, Robert moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, where he served as principal of Holdeman School in Tempe and later worked as a student-teaching supervisor at Arizona State University.

While living in Arizona, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and tutored children from the Maricopa Indian Community.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Gerard and Carmela Pellegrino, and a brother.

He is survived by his wife, Joy; his son and daughter-in-law; his daughter and son-in-law; his four grandchildren and his rescue cat.