Obituary of Robert J. Kalenak

Robert John Kalenak, age 83, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 22nd 2012 surrounded by family at the Bath VA Medical Center following a brief illness. Robert was born October 25th 1928 in Syracuse, NY, the son of John and Eleanor (Tama) Kalenak. Robert was a 1946 graduate of Onondaga Valley Academy High School. Robert served two tours in the Korean War between 1946 and 1951 while attending Lemoine college in Syracuse for industrial relations between tours. His was honorably discharged for each tour. Robert married Theresa Micheals on October 8th 1955. Robert was a successful business man and one of the founding members of Woodland Specialties, a wholesale building materials supplier located in Syracuse where he worked for many years. Robert relocated to Bath, NY in the mid 1980's where he worked at the DEC Fish Hatchery and later as a volunteer at the VA center. He was very fond of the Bath and Hammondsport community and the surrounding Finger Lakes region. Appreciated for his endearing and, at times, wry humor, Robert was an avid history reader, enjoyed discussing politics and observing wildlife - particularly ducks and loons. He listening to big band and jazz music, was fond of crafts and was a skilled woodworker. He had a love for Ukrainian and Polish food and looked forward to each Friday's fish fry at the Chat A Whyle Restaurant in Bath. He enjoyed sports and was an unwavering and ever frustrated Buffalo Bills and NY Mets fan. He was a strong supporter of environmental causes, a generous contributor to charities, and was a religious man and devout Catholic. He will be deeply missed by many. Robert is survived by his sister, Betty Mooney of Jamesville, NY and his five children; Robert, John, Mary, David, and Patricia (St. Onge). Robert was the proud grandfather of Abigail and Lily St. Onge of Tupper Lake, NY and Katherine Raftery of Toledo, OH. Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Bath VA Union Chapel, Thursday, March 1st 2012 at 1p.m. Burial will follow at the Bath National Cemetery with military honors. Condolences may be expressed at www.fagansfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert's memory to: Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Road, Corning NY 14830; www.sthospice.org.