Robert J. Shirm

1951 - 2016

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalm 121:5,8)

MILFORD - Robert Joseph Shirm, 65, passed away unexpectedly Monday evening, All Hallows Eve, October 31, 2016, while communing with nature in the woods near his home.

He was born October 9, 1951, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Ralph and Mary (Roman) Shirm and was raised and educated in Montoursville.

After graduating from high school he worked as a security guard and met his future wife, Kathleen Finnegan, near his family's home. On June 5, 1976, Bob and Kathy were married in Geneva, NY, and then spent their first three months together on an extended honeymoon driving cross country in a converted Volkswagen Van. They first settled in California where Bob was employed as nurseryman. Eventually they made their way back to New York State and resided on Eggleston Hill in Milford. In 2007 they moved to their current home on Cold Springs Lane. 

While living in Otsego County, Bob was employed by MOSA at their Southern Transfer Station and most recently worked in the maintenance department at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, retiring in 2013.

Bob loved the outdoors, and especially enjoyed long walks in the woods where he would be scouting for firewood. Equally, he loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed just being home and watching football and hockey on TV. Bob was an avid reader - with a special fondness for science fiction novels - and as a fervent supporter and frequent visitor of the Milford Free Library, he recently became a member of their advisory board. 

Bob will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 40 years, Kathy, of Milford; their three children, Ian R. Shirm of Milford, Alison S. Cole and husband Richard of Gilbertsville and Mackenzie Shirm of Monroe; four grandchildren, Deidre, Indigo and Jasper Cole and Ava Rose Shirm; and one sister, Joann Shirm of Montoursville, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by an infant son, James Allen Shirm who died in 1991.

Friends may call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown on Friday, November 4, 2016, from 4 - 6 pm when Bob's family will be in attendance.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at St. Mary's' "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Index.

For those who so desire, Bob's family would appreciate donations in his memory to the Milford Free Library, P. O. Box 118, Milford, NY 13807.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.