Roberta Olga Fox

Roberta O. Fox

Roberta Olga Fox, 96, of Rumson, New Jersey, and Palm Beach, Florida, died peacefully on Monday, October 2, 2017. She was the widow of the late I. Ralph Fox, to whom she was married for 52 years.

Roberta was born on August 22, 1921 in Newark, New Jersey to Professor and Mrs. Luigi Tutela.

In 1942 Roberta married Louis Polcari, a West Point graduate who served under General Douglas MacArthur’s staff at Leyte, Philippines.  Captain Polcari was killed in action on October 20, 1944.

Several years later, Roberta met and married I. Ralph Fox. For the first several years of their marriage they lived in Milburn and summered in Rumson. In 1962 they became full-time residents of Rumson.

Roberta was a well-known community activist, philanthropist, and a longtime supporter of  state, county, and local organizations. She served as a board member or chairman on various organizations including the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Short Hills Country Day School, the Visiting Nurses Association of Monmouth County,  the Monmouth Park Charity Fund, the Arthritis Foundation, the Children’s Psychiatric Center, Monmouth Day Care Center, Marlboro Hospital, and the Monmouth Center for Vocational Rehabilitation. Additionally, Roberta and her husband Ralph were among the original founders of the ARC of Monmouth County.She was honored numerous times, including receiving awards from the ARC of Monmouth County, the Arthritis Foundation, the Children’s Psychiatric Center, the Monmouth Center for Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Monmouth Day Care Center.

Roberta will be remembered for her deep commitment to giving back to the community, her elegant dinner parties, and her unerring devotion to family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, I. Ralph Fox, and her son, Louis A. Fox. She is survived by her son Alan J. Fox, and his wife Molly of Eatontown, New Jersey, and her four  grandchildren, A.J. Fox, Brendon Fox, Cody Fox, and Alexis Fox.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roberta’s memory can be made to The Monmouth Park Charity Fund.

Please visit Roberta’s memorial website available at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com

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