Obituary of Robert Wesley Graves

Robert Wesley Graves, a resident of Stamford since 1969, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, February 7, at his home. He was 85. Bob was born on March 14, 1929 at Gardner, Mass., the fifth of six children born to Fred and Clara (Greenwood) Graves. He married Phyllis Arline (Ritchie) Graves, who survives at home, on June 24, 1951, at the Maplewood Methodist Church in Malden , Mass. Bob was a graduate of Newport High School in Vermont and attended Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1954. A land surveyor and civil engineer, he retired from the New York Power Authority in 1991. Bob was an active member of the First Presbyterian church of Stamford, having served in nearly every official and unofficial capacity in service to the congregation and maintenance of the 150-year old church building. He was an avid fisherman and do-it-yourselfer. But, especially, he was a loving husband, a sensational father a a very special grandfather. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Phyllis and four children, Lynne Stephenson, and her husband, Mark Stephenson, Glen Graves and his wife, Katy Barber-Graves, Gail Graves and David Graves and his wife, Cathy. He is also survived by his grandson, Timothy, and four step grandchildren, Catherine "Maggie" Barber, Jon "Jake" Barber, Kieran Barber and Rosemary Barber. His sister Janet Ramspott and her husband Gordon and a nephew, Dana Ramspott and his wife Betty, also survived. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, George Graves and sisters, Ruth Johnson, Barbara Taborelli and Jean Ruxton. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford on Main Street on Saturday, February 14, at 11 am with the Rev. Jared Stephens officiating. Calling hours will be at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Cornell Ave., Hobart, on Friday, February 13, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm, with the family in attendance. Interment will be at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, Mass. later in the spring. All of Bob's family and friends are invited to share in a luncheon to celebrate his life at the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford following the service. Contributions can be made in Bob's memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, 96 Main St., Stamford, NY 12167; Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Dr.,Oneonta, NY 13820 or the charity of one's choice. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so on-line at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Hobart, NY.