The 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on March 15th. The parade was dedicated to all POWs and MIAs and Robert E. Jeans, Sr. was the Grand Marshall.
Robert E. Jeans, Sr. was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 28, 1949 to the late William and Emma Jeans. He traces his Irish Ancestry on his mother’s side (McTague) and his father’s side (Jeans, Connelly) to County Cork. Bobby has four brothers, William, Richard, George, and John, and three sisters Jo-Ann Perry, Karen Mesler and Mary Clements. Bobby Jeans, as he is known to all, graduated from Brearley High School in Kenilworth in 1968.
After graduating from high school, Bobby served in the United States Army from 1968-1974. He served in Vietnam from 1969-1970. Bobby was honored with numerous awards and citations as a Sergeant in the 23 Infantry Division (Americal), 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 31st Regiment. He received the Purple Heart, 2 Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Presidential Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, NJ Vietnam Service Medal, and the NJ Distinguished Service Medal.
Upon leaving the Army, Bobby joined the Kenilworth Police Department, where he served from 1972-2000. He had a distinguished career in his service with Kenilworth’s Finest. While on the department, he served as PBA Local 135 President from 1978-1988. Bobby is a Silver Life Card Recipient, and retired from the force as a Lieutenant in the Patrol Division. He was also owner of R. Jeans Landscaping from 1976-1983.
Bobby married Lenore J. Morrison in 1972 at St. Theresa’s Church in Kenilworth, where they are still active members of the parish community. Bobby and Lenore have a son, Robert, Jr., who is married to Kristen. Their grandchildren by son Robert are granddaughters McKenna and Emerson and grandson Declan. They also have a daughter Stacie who teaches 4th grade in the Kenilworth School District.
Bobby was an active member of the Kenilworth community, elected to serve two terms on the Union County Board of Education, and elected to serve one term on Kenilworth Board of Education. He began the Kenilworth Wrestling Program in 1970 and continued coaching until 1982. He is also a Charter Member of the Union County Junior Wrestling League. Bobby was very instrumental in the Save Our School Campaign to reopen David Brearley High School as Kenilworth’s own high school after the closing of the school. He was recently named to the David Brearley Hall of Fame in October 2013.
His devotion to the Veterans is remarkable. He has been a member of VFW Post 2230 since 1970. He served as District 5 Commander from 03-04, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 12-13, 13-14. He is a Life Member of the American Legion Kenilworth Post 470, a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Westfield Chapter 688.
Bobby is a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Kenilworth Council 4168 since 1971. He is a member of the Emerald Society of Union County and the Nugent Association. He was honored by the Nugent Association with the Nugent’s Finest-Jack O’Connor Award in 2012.
