Obituary of Albert W. Roberts

Albert Weems Roberts, Jr., 92, of Cortland, NY passed away Saturday, May 9, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his children and his beloved wife, Moira. He was born in l917 in Staten Island, NY, the son of the late Albert Weems and Mary Madelyn Dolan Roberts.Albert served his country with the US Navy during WW II. He studied at Wagner College and obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He spent his career working for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and retired after 25 years as the District Director of Lands and Forests. He continued to work for many more years as a forestry consultant and founded The Roberts Family Tree Farm in Groton with his son Bill and wife Mary. He was a devoted member of the NY State Christmas Christmas Tree Growers Association and won many awards at the NYS Fair for the exceptional beauty of his trees. He was often heard to say, Bless their little wooden hearts and has left this legacy with his children and grandchildren. Albert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Hamilton McCraine Roberts of Cortland; his children, Margaret (David) Bliss of Mohawk, NY, Elizabeth (John) Hughes of Newark, OH, Victoria (Martin) Roberts-Russell of Mill Valley, CA, William (Mary) Roberts of Groton, NY, James (Maureen) Roberts of Wysox, PA, and Mary (Fred) Saracene of Cortland, NY; fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. At the request of the deceased, there will be no calling hours. However, friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Alberts life at the family home on Route 222 on Friday, May 15, from 4-7 PM.The family wishes to thank Maria, Becky, Linda and Diane for their loving care. They would also like to thank Drs. Gupta and Steinburg, their wonderful staffs and especially nurse-Heather Nauseef, whose special efforts will be long remembered.In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests any contributions be made to the Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Park Way, Cortland, NY 13073 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049