Rochester, NY: Friday, November 27, 2020 we said goodbye to a GREAT MAN… Bob was 74 years young and passed peacefully at home. He unfortunately spent the last 20+ yrs of his life with MS, he went from a walking cane to one of the fanciest wheelchairs I have ever seen and he did it all with determination we admired so much.
Bob retired from Rochester Gas and Electric after 37 years as an Electrical Engineer in the Substations division. He was known as a generous, compassionate and loving husband, brother, father and grandfather (Poppa) and will be missed by countless friends and neighbors.
He golfed and bowled in the work leagues and served as HOA Treasurer at Golden Oaks. He was active in the boys’ young athletic careers as their soccer coach, served in the Lancer Booster club, including time as president, while his sons were at Eastridge. He was an avid Bills fan since the early 70s and the Sabres since Brett Hull scored from the crease. He was a handy man who did car repairs, built a garage, installed a pool, expanded and renovated the kitchen, added a full bath, replaced a roof, chopped down trees, replaced many windows and countless other smaller home improvements and repairs. He also has a coin collection that requires a wheelbarrow to move.
He and wife, Carol, raised 4 great boys who will continue his legacy and there will not be a day he isn’t missed or mentioned with many memories to laugh about. His family meant the absolute world to him, especially his 10 grandchildren and it’s safe to say anyone who knew him immediately felt like family.
His wife, our Mom, Carol, is the epitome of In Sickness and In Health. She stood by him, supported him, put up with him and, for the last 6 months took care of him 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. She honored her promise to him that she would never put him in a nursing home. Dad didn’t want anyone other than Mom to take care of him and when he started hospice on Thanksgiving they didn’t have a nurse available to start until the next day. So that meant we all took turns being his “Hospice Nurse” until we could get help on Friday. However, Dad had another plan and of course, had to do things his way. We are certain he knew help was coming and someone other than mom would be caring for him. He chose to pass peacefully before anyone could even start.
We are relieved that he is no longer struggling with MS but instead walking, golfing, bowling and doing everything he hasn’t been able to do. His favorite thing to do was go on vacation with all 19 of us. He could never leave the house or even step foot on the beach. But he was still so happy to have us all together and be able to watch us on the beach from the deck. Dad, we promise to bring you back to the beach….ON THE BEACH and celebrate what a great man you were. We will miss you and love you always.
He is survived by wife, Carol; brother, Jerry; 4 sons and families: Michael, Ann, Joseph and Grace; David, Alison, Brady, Owen, Carter; Brian, Sara, Trevor, Jake, Ryann; Jason, Bobbie Jo, Taylor, Jordan.
No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Irondequoit Community Cupboard at:
ICC
c/o Debbie Evans
PO Box 17834
Rochester, NY 14617