Robert D. Essig, Sr., “Bob”, 71, of Onondaga Hill, son of Robert J. and Catherine S. Essig, passed away peacefully, Saturday, December 17, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He battled courageously to regain and maintain his quality of life after being diagnosed with his illness. Bob attended Fordham Prep High School in the Bronx. He later joined the Air Force, served our country for 3 years and then worked for IBM. During Vietnam he ‘got the call from Uncle Sam,’ as he would say, and worked on computers that affected every officer in the Airforce at that time. He was a proud Vietnam veteran. Bob later graduated from Fordham Law School and worked for a Supreme Court judge in Cortland, New York. Soon after he and Marilyn, the love of his life, moved to Syracuse to raise their family. Bob was a successful attorney for 36 years, working for Bond, Shoeneck and King and then later making partner at Costello, Cooney and Fearon. Throughout his years at Costello he was on the board for Home Inc., Multiple Sclerosis Resources of CNY and Microwave Filter Company, Inc. He was also on the board for The Landing Home Owner’s Association.
Bob enjoyed playing racquetball, traveling, singing, dancing, serving his Church as a lector, gardening, caring for his mother who lived to be 99 years old, and spending time with his four grandchildren. Most recently in retirement, Bob enjoyed the freedom of traveling back and forth between his homes in Syracuse and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Since he was a child he’s always had a love for the ocean and enjoyed every moment at the beach.
Bob was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Edward Essig.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Marilyn; daughters, Marisa (Paul) Montalto, Erika (Kyle) Moon; son, Robert Jr. (Elana); four grandchildren, Adelina, Eliana, Massimo and Francesca Montalto; sisters, Marjorie Puchalski of Mount Vernon, New York and Katherine Castagna of Brick, New Jersey; brother, Donald Essig of Goffstown, New Hampshire.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, December 21, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY 13066. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Most Holy Rosary Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088.