Obituary of Robert J. Van Hoesen

STAMFORD — Robert J. Van Hoesen of Stamford, died peacefully at Robinson Terrace following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born July 24, 1941, and lived all his life in the village of Stamford. He was the son of Edith (Cottone) and Elmer Van Hoesen. Living in Stamford all his life, nearly everyone in the village and many in the surrounding towns knew him. Robert was employed at various times by the village of Stamford, Stamford Golf Course and Prospect Farms. He worked on several farms in the area, trucked cattle with at least three independent cattle dealers and enjoyed doing lawn work for people. He enjoyed talking to people and could often be found at TP's Café, Vasta's Ristorante, Ace Hardware Store, the Stamford Fire Department, Powell's Garage, the Stamford Village Office, the Stamford Farmers Cooperative, or John's Tavern, enthusiastically engaged in conversation with his many friends. In the past year he could be seen riding his electric scooter, touring around the village. Robert was a longtime member of the Stamford Fire Department. He was recently granted a lifetime membership, an honor which made him very proud. Robert, affectionately called Bob or Bobby, is survived by several cousins, Joan (Fred) Joedicke, Hobart; Jane (Dennis) Pelehach, Washington, D.C.; James Dyer, Spicer, Minn.; Joyce (Paul) DeVivo, Grand Gorge; Ross (Bonnie) Cottone, Victor; Vincent (Diana) Cottone, Lake Wales, Fla.; Ruth (Frank) Pelkey, Windham; Kathleen (Frank) Warner, Apollo Beach, Fla.; Paul Cottone, Oneonta; Phil (Bonnie) All, Jefferson; Richard (Lydia) All, Austin, Texas; Richard (Shirley) Loucks, Bloomville; Larry (Debbie) Kimball, Schenectady; Terry Mangano, Schenectady; and Sandra Champlin, Unadilla. He was predeceased by his parents, all aunts and uncles and the following cousins, Daniel All, Shirley Tompkins, Barbara Mattice and Earl Loucks Jr. Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26, at MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 27, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart, with the Rev. Dottie Morris officiating. Burial will follow in the Stamford Cemetery beside his parents. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice or the Stamford Fire Department, 111 Main St. Stamford, NY 12167, in loving memory of Robert J. Van Hoesen. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart.