1926 - 2021
COOPERSTOWN – Louis John Bobnick, a retired truck driver for Otsego Ready Mix and long-time area resident, passed away peacefully late Wednesday night, July 14, 2021, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. He was 95.
Born March 8, 1926, in Chesterland, Ohio, he was one of six children of Louis W. and Mary (Geizer) Bobnick. In 1932, the family moved from Ohio to New York State and settled in Worcester. They then moved to Milford in 1941 and Lou graduated from Milford Central School.
In 1964, Lou came to reside in Cooperstown and met long-time resident Diane J. Slover, and on November 26, 1965, they were married in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. They first lived on Elm Street in the village, and then for 40 years made their home and raised their family just outside of Toddsville.
Lou worked as a truck driver for many years, first for Lester Hanson and his brother, Christian, who owned and operated Gahanunda Farms in Pierstown. He then went to work for Otsego Ready Mix in Oneonta, driving trucks for them for 30 years until his retirement.
Lou always cherished his time with family, extended family and friends. He and Diane especially loved to travel the countryside, either by motorcycle or car. After his retirement in 2002, he and Diane, along with his sister, Rose Mary, took a cross country trip to the West Coast to visit his three other sisters. At the time, Irene lived in Washington State, while Helen and Mary Jane lived in the Los Angeles area. After Diane’s passing, he and John, and when Michael was visiting, would continue the car rides around the area during the late Spring, Summer and early Fall, as Lou did not like the cold weather and hibernated during the winter months. As Lou loved blueberries, Dan would take him to Ingalls Blueberry Hill to pick some once they were in season.
Regrettably, the COVID-19 restrictions on face-to-face visitations put in place by the State of New York and area nursing homes contributed greatly to Lou’s recent decline in health, both mentally and physically. At least in his final days he was able to have visits with his family and most especially, his beloved dog, Molly.
Lou is survived by three sons, Michael Bobnick of Amsterdam, Daniel Bobnick of Laurens and John Bobnick of Toddsville; two sisters, Irene Barr of Keystone, Heights, Florida and Helen Polanis of Buena Park, California; and many nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his faithful canine companion, Molly, who could often be seen clutched in Lou’s arm as they took their daily drive into town for the newspaper and some grocery shopping.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Diane S. Bobnick, who died December 2, 2015, as well as two sisters, Rose Mary Stringer who died October 15, 2015, and Mary Jane Chapman who died December 29, 2016, and a brother who died in infancy.
Friends may call to pay their respects to Lou's family from 4-6 p.m. Monday, August 2, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. The visitation will be followed by a service at 6 p.m.
The Service of Committal and Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fly Creek Emergency Squad, PO Box 218, Fly Creek, NY 13337.
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.
