Holley – Robert Paul Clarke, Jr., age 77, died October 17, 2018. He was born April 7, 1941 to Robert and Florence (Werth) Clarke, Sr. and was the oldest of 4 children.
Bob was the ultimate husband, father and grandfather, and an ultimate gentleman. Much of his retirement was spent visiting his children in Maui, Maryland, Texas and Washington State. He also enjoyed many trips to Maine and Amish country in Ohio.
Whether attending Golf Tournaments in Maui, Augusta or Washington D.C. or charter fishing with his son and son in law, nannying his first born grandchild, or introducing ice cream, rock skipping and golf cart rides to his grandchildren, Bob was a real family man. His children, Rob and Wendy, and now their spouses, Yasemin and Brian, and grandchildren Aliya, Michael and Jayda, have brought him the greatest joy.
Bob served 2 years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, before marrying Kathie in 1969. Bob served as an apprentice and journeyman at Gannett Rochester Newspapers, starting nights at the Democrat and Chronicle, and then days at the Times Union. Bob retired in 2004 after 45 years of service as a printer, and later an IT Technician.
Bob was a lifetime member of the International Typographical Union, local #15, (Printer’s Union,) former secretary and lifetime member of the Clarendon Fire Company, chairman and past member of the Clarendon Planning Board, and a current member of the Clarendon Zoning Board.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Clarke was predeceased by several brothers and sisters-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kathleen (Schied), son, Robert (Yasemin) Clarke of Washington State, and daughter Wendy (Brian) Hoy of Maryland, sisters: Mary O’Malley, Margaret ( Mark) Schwartz, and brother, Thomas (Laurie) Clarke. He is also survived by several in-laws: Dan and Mary Schied, Sharon Schied, Mary Beth and Rev. Edward Grove, Sandra Leahy, and Owen Galland.
Bob also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Aliya and Jayda Clarke, and Michael Hoy as well as several very special nieces and nephews, and many close friends and neighbors.
Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at Strong Memorial Hospital ICU and Palliative Care Unit for their compassionate and loving care of Bob.
The family will receive friends at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. 16650 State Route #31-Holley, SUNDAY from 1-4 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend Bob’s Mass of Christian Burial, MONDAY at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church-Holley. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in Bob’s Memory to: the Clarendon Fire Company, P.O. Box 136, Clarendon, N.Y. 14429, or Palliative Care Program, Unit 4-1200 Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 278996, 300 E. River Road, Rochester, N. Y.14627 or Roancher Ranch Draft Horse Rescue 3282 Centerline Road, Varysburg, N.Y. 14167 To share a special memory of Bob, please visit: www.christophermitchell.com
