1931 - 2016
HARTWICK - Robert Ellis Covert, 85, passed away after suffering for ten years with Alzheimer's Sunday evening, December 11, 2016, at his home on West Hill.
He was born September19, 1931, at Hackensack Hospital in Hackensack, New Jersey, a son of Ellis Anderson and Edna May (Ockenholt) Covert.
After graduating from high school, Bob entered into active service with the United States Navy on February 4, 1949. He served during the Cold War as a diesel mechanic on submarines at the submarine base in New London, Connecticut. On January 30, 1953, he received his honorable discharge from the military.
On September 22, 1956, he married Ruth Ann Schilling in Wyckoff, New Jersey.
Throughout his life Bob worked as a garbage man, a motor vehicle inspector for the State of New Jersey and as a police officer for the Borough of Oakland in New Jersey, retiring as a Lieutenant in the 1980s.
Once he retired, he spent the rest of his life living in Hartwick. Bob was active with the Hartwick American Legion Post No. 1567, helped form and was an active member with his wife, Ruth, of the Wanderers and Reminiscers Car Clubs, and served as a member of the Planning Board for the Town of Hartwick. He loved his family, friends and pets, and enjoyed life with his wife on the West Hill Toy Farm. He really loved all his toys, especially his toy trucks and cars that were his passions.
For years Bob was known as the "Hershey Kiss Man", handing out Hershey Kisses to women everywhere he went.
He will be greatly missed.
Bob is survived by one son Michael K. Covert of Hartwick; one daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Jon Sammis of Petersham, Massachusetts; three granddaughters, Colleen Witter and husband, Jason, of West Winfield, Dana Conte and husband, Nathan, of Hartwick, and Lisa Covert and companion, Jason Rashkow of Westford; one great grandson, Joseph Conte; one great granddaughter, Kathryn Conte; a sister, Natalie Keene of Suffern; a brother-in-law, William Schilling and companion, Marilyn Dougherty of Hartwick; several nieces and nephews; and his care provider, Deborah Wengert.
He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Covert, who died December 7, 2014; and two sisters, Mary Catherine Brangen and Jean Lois La Chaunce.
A celebration of his life picnic and service will be held May 20, 2017 at his home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Hartwick Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 208, Hartwick, NY 13348 or Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
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.
