Robert R. Elliott

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It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Reid Elliott announces his passing. On Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the age of 86, Bob passed away at the Seigenthaler Center of Hospice and Palliative Care in New Hartford. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle.

Bob was born on Nov. 15, 1934, to Etta and Clifton Elliott in Margaretville. He graduated in 1953 from Margaretville Central School, and married his high school sweetheart, the former Shirley Ann Kelly, on June 6, 1954. They were married for 67 years. He attended Delhi Tech, but in 1955, went to Poughkeepsie for employment with the New York Telephone Company. He then transferred to Fleischmanns in 1956, and in all kinds of weather, covered areas from Fleischmanns to Woodstock, installing and repairing phone systems for private residences and businesses, including the grand hotels of the Catskills in those days. In May 1973, he transferred to Fort Pierce, Fla. and worked for Southern Bell, retiring in 1985. 

After many fulfilling years of traveling back-and-forth from Florida and Arizona to New York, Bob and Shirley bought a house in Oneonta to be closer to family. His three children are Christopher of New Berlin, David (Virginia) of Hartwick, and Anne Killian Russo (Gary) of Clinton. His four grandchildren are Summer Killian (Brian) in Ithaca, Brendan Killian of Ballston Spa, Sean Killian (Ralf) in Berlin, Germany, and John Elliott (Nicole) of East Meredith. His five great-grandchildren are Teo and Nia Killian Rahm, Fallon Killian, and Olivia and Autumn Elliott. His loving nieces and nephew are Donna Kelly, Richard Kelly, and Teresa Kelly Goodchild. 

He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Elliott, and his niece, Karen Elliott Merrill.

Bob often said he had many wonderful years of living filled with family and friends, work, and travel. Some special stories he liked to tell were of playing six man football in high school, and relocating the graves from small villages to new cemeteries in preparation for the construction of the Pepacton Reservoir in 1953 and 1954. Bob had a love of nature and camping and a spirit for adventure that led him to skydiving and scuba diving. He was a scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts and an American Legion baseball coach while his children were growing. Skilled with any work with his hands Bob built stilts, skateboards, and race cars for his kids and prided himself on being Mr.Fix-It. His greatest project was building a bridge with the help of family and some friends that spanned the Plattekill River in Dunraven in 1970 so his family could live across the river in their new home. We will miss him terribly.

At his request, there will be no services except a graveside memorial at the Margaretville Cemetery at a later date. Bob received excellent care through New Hartford Hospice and Palliative Care Center and its Siegenthaler Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your local area Hospice. Arrangements are with the Dimbleby Funeral Homes Inc. 40 Main St. Whitesboro, NY.

For online expressions of sympathy go to www.dimblebyfh.com.