Obituary of Robert E. Garner

Robert E. Garner, longtime resident of Cortland, passed away peacefully Tuesday May 14, 2013 surrounded by loving family. He was born December 17, 1925 in Georgetown, NY the son of the late Claude and Olive (Knapp) Garner. He graduated from Homer Public Schools before entering the armed forces. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines, and returned to Cortland after being honorably discharged. He worked for the New York Central Railroad and then the Smith Corona Company for many years before retiring. He was a longtime active member of the Bible Baptist Church in Cortland where he served as Deacon and Usher and also taught Sunday School. He lived many years in Cortland and for the past two years at Walden Place Assisted Living, which became another home and a second family for him. Robert is survived by his wife Alice (Farnham) Garner, a resident of the Groton Nursing Facility, his daughter Kathy Simpson and her husband Todd, and two beloved grandsons €“ Anthony and Mark. He is also survived by several siblings: brother John Garner and his wife Ann, brother Claude Garner and his wife Mary, and sisters Bessie Garner, Charlotte Turk and Ruth Rofe, in addition to many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Larry Garner and his sister June Garner. Calling Hours will be on Friday, May 17th from 4 €“ 6 PM at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home on 9 Lincoln Street in Cortland. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 2 PM at Bible Baptist Church of Cortland on West Road, followed by a committal service with military honors at the Cortland Rural Cemetery. To offer condolences on-line, please visit www.wright-beard.com My deepest condolences to the family. While my parents were residents of Walden Place, I got to know Bob a bit. I found him to be a real gentleman who was kind, cheerful and always smiling. He would always relay a friendly hello whenever we would cross paths. My parents were fortunate to be co-residents of Walden with Bob. Though a stranger to family, I hope this note of sympathy adds to the fond memories of your loved one. Most sincerely, Patricia Wakula Seibert I am a former empoyee of Walden Place, and just recently learned of Bob's passing. I don't often have "favorites", but I must admit that he was one of them. I always referred to him, not as "Bob", but as "Trouble". He was a delight to speak to and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a very special man. Kat Alberts