Obituary of Robert W. Cairns

Robert W. Cairns, 76, of Delhi, died Saturday, Aug. 13 at Margaretville Memorial Hospital, Margaretville. He had recently been a resident of Mountainside Residential Care Center. Mr. Cairns was born Feb. 29, 1940 in Hobart, N.Y., the son of Allan D. and Elinor (Ceas) Cairns. He married the former Rose Bishop on March 30, 1962 in Oriskany Falls, N.Y. She predeceased him on Jan. 8, 2008. He retired from the New York State Department of Transportation after more than 30 years of service and spent several years after his retirement maintaining the grounds at Clark Companies in Delhi. He used his experience as a heavy equipment operator and trainer to help many people obtain commercial driver's licenses and he certified the drivers of fire trucks for the Delhi Fire Department for many years. He was a past commissioner of the Delhi Joint Fire District. He is survived by three children: Robert A. Cairns and wife, Kimberly, of Delhi; Anne Stephenson and husband, John, of Suffolk, Virginia; and William Cairns and wife, Nichole, of Delhi. Also, seven grandchildren, a brother, Lawrence Cairns of Margaretville, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be held at MacArthur Funeral Home in Delhi on Monday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m., when the family will be in attendance. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. On Tuesday, Aug, 23 at the Delhi Fire Hall with Rev. Brett White officiating. A fire department memorial service will follow. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Delhi. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Delhi Fire Department, P.O. Box 405, Delhi, NY 13753 or the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society, P.O. Box 88, Delhi, NY 13753.