In Memory of

Robert

Warren

Wilkins

Obituary for Robert Warren Wilkins

Hartford

Robert W. Wilkins “Bobby” passed peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Born January 29, 1934 at home on Delaware Avenue in Hudson Falls, NY, he was the son and only child of the late Earl and Madeline (Keech) Wilkins.

He attended Hartford Central School. Bob faithfully served our Country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

He married Roberta Trombley on June 26, 1960.

He talked fondly of pedaling the local newspaper the “Grit” as a young boy on his bike. Bob was a hard -working man retiring well over 70yrs of age.

Bob loved life and especially loved playing, watching and talking sports. He played many local sports over the years. Most notably trying out for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and while it didn’t turn out in his favor, he has held a lifelong passion for baseball. It was said he could hit a ball a mile. He played and managed many area baseball teams, including some of his favorites, the Old Barn Brewers and the Hartford Brewers. He also loved playing football for the Hudson Falls Green Jackets and was the infamous TANK #70. As Bob aged and no longer played sports he had his greatest joy watching his sons play softball. He would travel wherever they played and was their biggest support.

His great love was coaching. He spent countless hours preparing the fields for his beloved Hartford Tanagers. You would often find him day or night working on the baseball field. He coached the varsity Hartford Tanagers for greater than 20 years prior to his retirement in August 2004. He was nominated “Coach of the Year” in 1996. The fields were dedicated in his name and are affectionately known as the “Bob Wilkins Ball Field”

Bob loved his New York teams and if you ever called his answering machine you were informed who they were. The NY giants, The Yankees, the Knicks, and his favorite team, the Hartford Tanagers. It has been stated that he bled “Giant Blue”. One of his favorite pictures (he had many) was a picture of him and Michael Strahan.

His next favorite past time was having his morning coffee with his “coffee buddies” John & Rick Reynolds at Dunkin Donuts., and his nightly phone call from Tom Baker. He also loved his chats with his childhood friend Ray Marviglio. He went every morning rain or shine and had a coffee and an old- fashioned doughnut. On the few occasions, he missed it was because he was hospitalized. You could set your watch by him.

He loved family get-togethers and there wasn’t a person who met him that didn’t walk away a friend.

In addition to his parents, Bob is predeceased by his wife of 50 years Roberta (Birdie) who passed in 2010.

He is survived by his children, Cecelia Bourn (John Jennings) of Greenwich, Robert E. Wilkins and his wife Melanie of Wyantskill, Richard H. Wilkins and his wife Michelle of Fort Edward, and his daughter Cynthia Wilkins and her companion Larry Blackmer of Queensbury, his grandchildren; Rebecca Beecroft, Lisa VanGuilder, Katie Jean Wilkins, Ophelia Rose, and Cory Wilkins, Richard L. Wilkins, Trevor Wilkins, Larry Wilkins, Cody Blackmer and Chad Wilkins, six great-grandchildren with one on the way, as well as his cousin, Bernard Donald Wilkins. He is also survived by his wife’s sister and husband Bob & Leona Chadwick.

Friends may call from 4-7pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted from 2-6pm on April 11, 2018 at the Hartford Volunteer Firehouse, Hartford, NY.

Graveside services will be conducted at a date to be determined in the spring at the Morningside Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Bob’s name may be made to the Hartford Fire Company, PO Box 121, Hartford, NY 12838, or the Argyle Emergency Squad, 15 Sheridan St, Argyle, NY 12809.

To leave online condolences please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.