Bob L. Sitterly

Robert “Bob” L. Sitterly

My name is Robert L. Sitterly, but I have always preferred to be called Bob. I have just recently passed away, on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the age of 88, at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, but where doesn’t matter, what is important is where I’m at now, hopefully at home with my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.

I was born on June 12, 1936, at the Memorial Hospital , in Herkimer, NY and my parents were Lewis G. Sitterly and Helen I. (Fullington) Sitterly. The only schools I ever attended were Mohawk, NY and I graduated there, in June 1954. Mohawk had many nice girls in school, but the one I picked to fall in love with was Lucille A. Edick, so on December 27, 1955, we got married, in the Mohawk Reformed Church and were blessed with 63 years filled with love, faith and a strong devotion to each other and our family. Lucille “Lucy” passed away, on August 25, 2019.

In June of 1955, I enlisted in the USAF, and spent four very proud years serving my country. While in the military I wanted to further my career as a printer by going to their school, but was told “no, it’s full”, so they sent me to a school of their choice, which after several weeks of Tech School, put me on as an air crew member, the only enlisted man flying with 4 officers on a B-47 strato-jet bomber. My most defining moment in the Air Force was when I received my crew member wings. Prior to leaving the military, in June 1959, I was accepted to work for General Electric, in Utica, which gave me the opportunity to again go into the printing field, in which I stayed for 32 years. I was very fortunate having a job I enjoyed and meet many wonderful people while at GE.

I should mention also, I did spend a few very proud and humbling years as an Elder on the Consistory of our same church here in Mohawk. Since 1959, my wife and I lived on Kanzog road, a few miles outside of Mohawk, and my hobbies have been my computers, which I enjoyed very much, and I try to read a bit each night.

We have three children, our daughter, Debra Hagadorn and her husband, Mike McKinney, of Mohawk; our two sons, Daniel Sitterly and his wife, Misa, of Woodbridge, VA and Randy Sitterly and his wife, Patty, of Watertown, NY; four grandchildren, Adam Sitterly and his wife, Tiffany, of Cambridge, Mass, Philip Hall and his wife, Melissa, of Ilion, Alana Sitterly and her husband, Ryan Sherman, of VA and Kayla Gardner and her husband, Chris, of Calcium, NY. I have six great-grandchildren, Colin, Cameron and Ruby Hall, of Ilion, Leo Gardner, of Calcium, NY, Elizabeth Sitterly, of Cambridge, Mass and Ian Sherman, of VA. I also have several nieces, nephews and cousins.

I have been predeceased by my wife, Lucille “Lucy” Sitterly; both of my parents; my stepparents; my only sister, Shirley; and my great-granddaughter, Bryn Gardner, who is one of God’s tiniest angels.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Mohawk Reformed Church, 20 S. Otsego St., Mohawk, NY, with Pastor Brian Engel, officiating.

He will be buried next to his wife, Lucy, at Salisbury Rural Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Bob, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Reformed Church, 20 S. Otsego St., Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home during visitation and at the church during the services.

Bob had prearranged and entrusted his Funeral Service arrangements, details and supervision to his long time friend and Funeral Director, Don Applegate, of Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Homes, of Ilion (315-895-7722).