WiFi HiFi is deeply saddened to learn that Bob Rabbito, the longtime owner of Trutone Electronics in Mississauga, ON, passed away unexpectedly while on vacation last week.
Bob was an incredibly kind gentleman and an enthusiastic supporter of our industry as well as being a loyal fan of our company, WiFi HiFi. Bob was the first retailer to allow us to distribute our print magazine at his store (back when we still did print). Years ago when we opened a WiFi HiFi retail pop-up in downtown Oakville, just 20 minutes down the road from Trutone, Bob called me personally to congratulate me on the initiative and the “education I was about to receive being in the retail trenches”.
While other GTA retailers put pressure on suppliers not to support us, citing conflicts of interest and increased competition (being a magazine covering the CE industry AND a retailer), Bob only saw it as a positive that would give us great insight in the art of serving customers. Our little shop only carried audio, but from then on, we established a relationship with Trutone that any customer coming into our shop looking for video or an elaborate home theatre custom install, I would send to the long-standing team at Trutone. This was a big win for me, knowing I could send customers up the road and that through the referral, they would be served in an exceptionally professional way. Bob was always kind, and his support will never be forgotten.
Industry veteran Sam Schwartz, President Sales & Marketing of Ebony TriStar, shares the following on the passing of his friend Bob Rabbito:
On Wednesday, October 30th I received heartbreaking news. My dear friend and valued business associate, Bob Rabbito, owner of Trutone Electronics in Mississauga, passed away suddenly in Las Vegas.
I was extremely fortunate to meet Bob and his lovely bride Linda over twenty-five years ago. I had the good fortune of being Bob’s Toshiba sales representative, a relationship that I cherished.
Bob and Linda (as well as the entire team of professionals at Trutone Electronics) treated me with the highest respect…as I did them. I enjoyed… and relished every interaction with Bob, especially our tete-a-tetes in Bob’s small, yet cozy office…away from the hustle and bustle of the store.
I can never recall Bob losing his temper in all of those years and he was extremely well-liked and respected by all members of his staff, vendor partners and industry peers.
Please indulge my brief, true story of days past…
During my time as the Toshiba sales representative for Trutone Electronics, I had the great, good fortune of hosting Bob and Linda on several Toshiba Dealer Incentive trips (usually to the Caribbean) and introducing my lovely bride Ellen to these wonderful people.
Bob, Linda and Ellen bonded instantly, as I knew that they would. It was on one of these trips that the funniest thing happened. Upon arriving at the resort, Ellen and I wanted to grab a quick “nosh” at one of the restaurants and as we walked towards the entrance to one of the eateries, I saw a couple seated at a table.I immediately recognized the young lady as one of my ex-girlfriends and when she saw me, she jumped up and gave me a huge hug and a great big kiss (we broke up on excellent terms!). I had introduced Ellen to Sandy several months earlier so there was no jealousy or hurt feelings when Sandy embraced me.
Sandy had just landed a new job as a travel agent and was at the resort, scouting it out. During our stay at the resort, I called the dealers whom I was hosting on this trip (there were a total of six dealers, including Bob and Linda) to invite them to join Ellen and me for dinner at a classy Parisian-style restaurant. It was decided that we would all meet in the hotel lobby and walk over to the restaurant together.
I saw Bob and Linda approach us and, as they got closer, Bob burst into laughter. Bob had the type of laugh that was contagious. Soon Bob had us all laughing…but I did not know why.
It turns out that during the day, Bob ran into Sandy and when she found out that he was on the Toshiba trip, she told him that we had been together for three years before I met Ellen.
Bob looked me square in the face, and in front of everyone, said these words that I will never forget…”Sam, I always knew that you were a special guy, but to be able to pull off having your ex-girlfriend AND your wife at the same resort and at the same time and live to talk about it? Sam, I take my hat off to you for you truly are special!”
Bob, you were truly special and a real MENSCH! May you forever rest in eternal peace.
Dearest Linda, Ellen and I extend our deepest, sincerest condolences to you and your family during your time of grief. May Bob’s memory ease your pain over time.
Bob’s obituary can be viewed here