Gay, Robert Franklin
PERINTON, NY- January 1, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Robert Franklin Gay. Born in Rochester April 6, 1933, Dad grew up in and around Rochester attending Blessed Sacrament church and school, Aquinas Institute ‘51 and later, Saint Bonaventure University ’55 where he earned a BS in Chemistry. Following college Dad married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Johnson and they enjoyed their first years of marriage in Hawaii where he served as an Army Artillery Officer being discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. He and Shirley returned to civilian life in Rochester where he began his long and successful 34 year career at Eastman Kodak working in many different divisions, primarily Health Sciences.
Family was the most important thing in Dad’s life and he took great pride in the warm welcoming home that they created. He was undoubtedly the leader of the house but mom was his every equal- his respect for her as a wife and mother was profound. He often spoke tenderly about the way Mom managed every aspect of the household when he was travelling for work, often overseas for weeks at a time, when we kids were teenagers. He loved, supported and encouraged his children equally in all their endeavors and spent countless hours with each bonding over shared interests such as astronomy, fishing, hunting, gardening, photography, scouting and sports. An image we all share is of Dad standing on the sidelines of our soccer games in his business suit.
Dad was an avid sportsman spending some of his leisure time hunting and fishing. Dad relished driving his red jeep out to Ten Feathers Hunt club with his friend and neighbor Ted where they would chop wood, drive the bulldozer and train their hunting dogs. Dad always had a vegetable garden and shared that passion with us. He loved to cook and was known for his sourdough bread, homemade sausage and self-labeled BLACK DOG Lemoncello. He enjoyed taking care of his home and yard and took pleasure in helping us kids with ours. We fondly called him ‘Tony the Tile Man’ as he loved nothing more than laying tile for his family and others.
Dad was able to enjoy a 34 year retirement in which he and mom travelled far and wide, entertained and specialized in being caring and loving parents and grandparents. To the end Bob was in daily contact with friends and family from all walks of his life. In particular he enjoyed his Aquinas classmates, Kodak colleagues, time spent with his cousins Billy, Don and Gary and his weekly cribbage match with friend Cliff.
Dad is survived by his son, Robert (Tina) Grayson of Pittsford ; daughters, Paula Roberts of Rochester; Carolyn (Jeff) Huntress of Pittsford; his very special grandchildren, Benjamin (Holly) Stevens, Margaret and Peter Grayson; Emma, Patrick and Kathryn Huntress; precious great grandchildren Irving and Zoe Shirley Stevens; Kaia Lapier Grayson; sister, Patricia Mueller of Webster and his adored cat Notch. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Shirley, his parents C. Franklin and Kathryn Gay, and son-in law Thomas Roberts Jr.
The family would like to thank his very caring community at Solstice Senior Living and his devoted caregivers from Penfield Place, CCOR and Pair With Love.
You are invited to greet family Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at St. John of Rochester Church (Fairport) from 10:00-10:45 am preceding his memorial mass which will begin at 11:00. It will also be livestreamed at https://www.stjohnfairport.org/streaming A reception will follow immediately after mass in the Gathering Room of St. John. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Aquinas Institute (Maj. Donald Holleder Scholarship Fund) may be considered.
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