Service for Oak Beach Inn owner

I am glad that I made it to The OBI before it closed.Only went once as it was a hike from where I was living on L.I.A good memory like the the now closed C.P.I.Too bad things have to change.

Sorry to hear of his passing. Many a GREAT memory was had at the OBI! That was such a great bar! Even after all of its changes over the years.. it still remained a good place to have fun and dance! Rest in Peace knowing how many great memories you created, how many couples you put together (probably divorces too! HAHA) and overall how many lives you have touched during your time here on this little place called Earth!
Condolences to his family members as well!

"He was probably one of the smartest businessmen I've ever known," Noto said. "He made nothing into something big -- and caused me an election -- but it's part of the game, you know."

don't you mean "cost me an election"?

While I do not rejoice in his death, I do not mourn it either. Bob and his lackey attorney Kevin Brosnahan caused pain and grief to my family and to the families of my friends. It is not difficult to be a “great businessman” when you flaunt the laws and ignore regulations. To all you who said Bob loved his customers and did it for them you are ignorant. One example was that every weekend he would pack in over 2,000 customers when his legal/safe occupancy was just under 800. If there ever was a fire in the hundred year old wood structure, the resulting amount of dead crispy critters would have made the bar fire in Rhode Island look trivial. He knew it and put all you at risk every weekend all to make a buck. But hey, you got a BJ in the parking lot so life is good.

If you piss off hundreds and make thousands happy I say good for you

Had a great time those many years ago....thanks.

R.I.P.

I loved Bob's business intelligence and his guts. My condolences to his family. I thank him also for my abundance of happy memories at OBI. God Bless you and your family.

Apparently you missed the point of his campaign

Everyone eventually is the "victim " of someones business........the ultimate result of capitalism. God Bless Bob, The USA, And Long Island Iced Teas, in that order.

The man knew how to fight the bureauracy, and I always loved him for that. I am also sorry he didn't live a longer life, which we all deserve. God Bless You Robert.

Anyone remember when bungee jumping was there? What a trip. Thanks Bob for many great times. We miss you and the OBI.

I must say thank you to bob. if not for the OBI I WOULD HAVE NEVER MET THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS THAT I HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS AND 3 GREAT KIDS.SO SAY ALL THING YOU WANT ABOUT THE MAN ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU BOB FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES. R I P.

I spent many fine Saturday nights at the OBI East in the late 70s. God, what fun. Thanks, Bob. RIP.

The memories at the OBI are priceless...I smile now thinking of the dance floors, upstairs in the airplane seats, and trying to find your car in the packed lot on the way out...there is and never will be another place like that...you will be missed!:)
God Bless

I grew up in Garden City Park in Nassau County and the OBI features prominently in my recollection of clubbing in the late 80s. My friends and I would pack into a car, made sure we had plenty of pot and beer in the car and headed south on the Meadowbrook with ludicrous bravado that we would all hook up. Once we passed the Jones Beach tolls, the trip became almost transcendental in the dark--music would be turned down, conversation suddenly hushed. For about fifteen minutes or so, there was this unspoken realization that we were traversing one of the most beautiful and unsullied stretches of nature. By the time we arrived at OBI, we had swapped out Stevie B for Bob Dylan and we almost apologetically headed for the entrance. It was tough to rev back up again and I usually didn't, preferring to roam out outside on the deck. But even though I never fulfilled my wishes for some kind of club pick-up, I always had fun and left with a touch of whimsy at having partied in a nook of paradise, feeling that the devil had set up a solitary outpost in heaven.

Thanks for reading this self-indulgent crap. Too bad about Mr. Matherson, too bad about things the way they are now and too bad about getting older.

Ex-Oak Beacher wrote:

While I do not rejoice in his death, I do not mourn it either. Bob and his lackey attorney Kevin Brosnahan caused pain and grief to my family and to the families of my friends. It is not difficult to be a “great businessman” when you flaunt the laws and ignore regulations. To all you who said Bob loved his customers and did it for them you are ignorant. One example was that every weekend he would pack in over 2,000 customers when his legal/safe occupancy was just under 800. If there ever was a fire in the hundred year old wood structure, the resulting amount of dead crispy critters would have made the bar fire in Rhode Island look trivial. He knew it and put all you at risk every weekend all to make a buck. But hey, you got a BJ in the parking lot so life is good.

To all of the ex oak beachers who never really paid their fair share of property taxes and did nothing but complain about Bob,..May you feel the next summer's rain against your face and know it's Bob pissing all over you.......Rest in Peace Mr. Matherson

Poor Bob - Karma - The only good thing that ever came out of that name "Matherson" was the good Times associated with "The OBI" - Too bad for him @ least he doesn't have to endure the pain & suffering anymore from his exwife of a 1000 yrs ago.... riding his coattails.... What is she gonna do "NOW". Hopefully, he didn't leave her a Cent - Karma is a wicked thing....

Had the pleasure to go to the north Smithtown bar of his and the oak beach inn of course, and really enjoyed it. I recall meeting him at the OBI and he was very nice and I was just some naive college student then with zero worth to my name. So, its sad to hear of his passing so young, and I want to thank the family for what Bob did for all us once young people who needed a place to be free, party, and mingle. And he was right, there is alot of government and politics in NY that could be cleaned up for the betterment of all. God Bless you Bob.

RIP Bob Matherson. I've enjoyed great Friday and Saturday nights at the OBI. Met good people there too.

I remember the fine reception I got one blizzard on the way home from work. OBI was the only place to stop at on the RM parkway. Got a nice hot bowl of soup and good conversation before continuing my trip home that terrible afternoon. Thank you.