Sitting at the kitchen table with Bob Molnar, I could see the den walls covered with "half hull models," exquisitely carved and mounted miniature boats. In the dining room was a cherry table finished to match the Stickley hutch. Another room had assorted Adirondack furnishings. In the garage was a full-size "cedar strip canoe" and an oak desk just completed for his son, Dave. Dave lives in Spencerport and another son, Mark, lives in Ohio. Bob and his wife, Pat, just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. He is retired from Eastman Kodak and she is retired from the Brockport school system. Their Sweden Village home of 23 years is a treasure trove of Bob's handiwork. Decades before building fine furniture, Bob learned from his father "how to get things done." As a young teen he helped his father with the rough work of plumbing and wiring the family's farm house. When Bob and Pat purchased their first Brockport home, it needed complete remodeling. "I knew I could accomplish what I needed to accomplish," Bob said about the successful home project. "I have always enjoyed the challenge of doing it myself. It's a learning process; you never stop learning." Bob is a self-taught craftsman, using his library of favorite how-to-do-it books and magazines as well as "making mistakes and doing it over." He learned carving and finishing the half hull models at the Wooden Boat School in Maine, partly to prove he was not dependent on his power tools. He markets a few of these in stores in Florida and the Adirondacks. He usually builds something "not just to have a function, but because I like the way it looks, pleasing to my eye," Bob said. Selling his models or furniture is not a priority and they usually end up being given away to family or friends. The gifts have included such items as end tables, coffee tables, bookcases, and a queen size bed in cherry. "I sign and date every piece because that will be my legacy some day," Bob said. "I hope my family passes them on through the generations." Bob is good at making chili too. A pot of chili was simmering on the stove and half of it would be given to his son, Dave. Bob and Pat have been providing some meals and other caring support for Dave and his two children, Erica (four) and Luke (10 months) for almost a year. Dave's wife, Debbie, died on December 12, 2002, suddenly and unexpectedly while visiting Bob and Pat. Since then, they and Debbie's parents, David and Joy Rose of Hamlin, have rallied to help Dave and the children. Pat, Joy and Sue Rose (Dave's sister-in-law) take care of the children five days a week while Dave is at work. For the Molnars and the Roses, both retired couples, this abrupt turn in their mature lives has been eased by the loving care of friends and family. David Rose expressed deep gratitude for the way people have turned out to help him and Joy in a time of grieving. "I don't know how we would have gotten through this without the kind help of so many people," Dave said, referring to volunteers who offered help with tasks like mowing the lawn. Also, friends have asked Dave and Joy out to dinner, "helping us to get away and let our minds relax for a while," Dave said. He and Joy were greatly consoled by a friend who showed up the morning after Debbie's death to tell how he, as a father, has coped with the death of a child many years ago, and, more recently, the death of a son who was killed. Bob has similar stories. "Our house was overwhelmed with friends when she passed away," he said about people who helped with the children, brought food, and greeted out-of-town guests. "For four days, until the funeral, people were showing up at 8 a.m. We did not have to worry about a thing." Similar kindnesses, especially helping with the grandchildren, have continued to this day. One form of support was the Deborah Rose Memorial Golf Tournament held on September 20 to benefit the education of Erica and Luke. The organizing committee consisted of Bucky Ackles, who first proposed the idea, Tom Nesbitt, Ed Hefke, Jack Beck and Bob. Sponsorships and prizes were donated, including wood crafts by Bob himself, John Deats and Tom Nesbitt. Helen Smagorinsky donated some of her art work. The tournament and dinner at the Pinewood Country Club sold out with 72 golfers seven weeks prior to the event. "Our friends, the Roses' friends and Dave's friends were there," Bob said. "Some could hardly hold a golf club, but they were there to support." Bob's craftsmanship is the work of a self-reliant man who has met the challenge of learning on his own. But he is glad that he and the families are not alone in this crisis. Through the tragic loss, Bob has been awed by the numbers of compassionate people who have responded creatively and generously to the families for almost a year. |
