Obit: Robert Frank Coviello ... enjoyed traveling

ROCHESTER - Robert Frank Coviello, 71, of Rochester, beloved husband of Anne (Lomasney) Coviello, succumbed to an 11-month battle with pancreatic cancer at home surrounded by his family on Sunday November 10, 2013.

Robert was born on December 20, 1941, in Hartford, Conn., to James and Ann (Links) Coviello. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1960 and then attended college at University of Connecticut and the University of Madrid in Spain. In December of 1966 Bob was drafted into the Army. Bob served as a Machine Accounting Specialist as part of the Adjutant General Data Processing Division (62nd DPU) Headquarters, United States Army Forces Southern Command in Fort Amador, Canal Zone from May 1967 to November 1968. Robert loved life and had many hobbies which included traveling the world, food and wine, and marlin fishing.

Robert was the founder and owner of HTI Buying Group based in Rochester. The company, established in 1998, offers independent kitchenware and tabletop specialty retailers the opportunity to buy products and programs from member vendors on a corporate discount plan. He was the consummate entrepreneur, also a co-founder and partner of the former Gallery of Gifts and Kitchen Etc. He received numerous awards and accolades over his more than 40 year career in the retail and housewares industries and was well respected among retailers, vendors, and colleagues alike.

Besides his wife Anne, Robert is survived by his son Michael James Coviello, his wife Lynne and granddaughter Amelia of Bolton, Mass; his brother Allan James Coviello, his wife Sandra and niece Elizabeth of Greenland; as well as other beloved friends and family members.