'He Was Full Of Life': Moorestown Realtor Mourned After Death In Lake Accident

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Robert "Robbie" Montalbano told a friend, "Life is short, don't waste it." A lake accident recently cut the Burlington County man's life short, but not before he impacted countless lives and helped anyone he came across, according to those close to the Moorestown realtor.

Montalbano, 53, died Aug. 13 while attending a work retreat in Austin, Texas. He was enjoying the day with colleagues on Lake Travis, when a personal watercraft struck the pontoon boat he was aboard, according to a GoFundMe in his memory.

A lifelong resident of northern Burlington County, Montalbano served the state Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) for 25 years. Last year, he retired to fully dedicate his attention to expanding his real estate business with the Keller Williams Realty Group.

He quickly became a top seller with Keller Williams Realty, with which he had an office in Moorestown.

"Rob used his superior people skills, humor, charisma and drive for success to jump-start his second career," the GoFundMe says. "He was seen as a mentor during both his time with the JJC and with Keller Williams."

Montalbano was a pillar of his community in Mansfield Township, where he lived for the past 17 years. His priority was always family, whether he was spending quality time with his daughter or coaching his son's baseball team, according to his obituary.

The Mansfield man loved skiing in the winters, spending summers on Long Beach Island, attending sporting events and being surrounded by friends and family.

"It was in his nature to extend a helping hand, a word of objective and wise advice, or a friendly smile to anyone who crossed his path, whether that be a family member, friend, colleague, client, or a total stranger," his obituary says. "He was full of life and of love and he lived his to the fullest."

View the GoFundMe and Montalbano's obituary.