By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Minardi

Robert "Bob" Minardi, a manager for the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and member of the McNicholas High School sports hall of fame, died of heart-related causes Monday at his Mount Washington home. He was 58.

Mr. Minardi went to work driving a truck for Coke soon after graduating from Purcell High School in 1963.

"Uncle Bob was a true, dedicated, walking Coca-Cola billboard," said his niece, Debbie Hornback of Milford. "He has enough Coca-Cola memorabilia to rival the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta."

Mr. Minardi worked at several jobs before becoming a fountain installation supervisor. He put in 39 years with the company.

He coached baseball at Guardian Angels Church and was a tireless booster of athletics at McNicholas, where his sons went to high school.

He served as president of the Athletics Boosters and manned the chains during McNick's football games. The school elected him to its Men's Sports Hall of Fame and presented him the Good Fellowship Award two years ago.

A lifetime member of the Marchiagiani Italian Society, Mr. Minardi was proud of his Italian heritage. "Anyone who knew Bob knew that he made the best antipasto salad this side of Italy," said his sister, Barb Hornback of Milford. "It was a request that Bob was happy to fulfill."

And he relished taking trips and rooting for his favorite teams - the Reds and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football.

In addition to his sister and niece, survivors include his wife of 36 years, Colleen Meinert Mindardi; two sons, Rob Minardi of Mount Washington and Brian Minardi of Amelia; his mother, Ceil Baldoni Minardi of Mount Washington; a brother, Gene Minardi of Anderson Township; and four grandchildren.

Visitation is 4-9 p.m. today at Witt, Good and Kelsch Funeral Home, 7312 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township. Mass of Christian burial is 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Cecilia Church, 3056 Madison Road in Oakley. Burial is at St. Joseph Cemetery in Price Hill.

Memorials: Muscular Dystrophy Association of Cincinnati, 1080 Nimitzview Drive, No. 208, Cincinnati 45230.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com