Advertisement. Advertise with us

IN MEMORIAM: Robert (D’Urzo) Ross, 74;

Master Mechanic Proud Of Family History

Robert (D’Urzo) Ross

ONEONTA – Robert Paul (D’Urzo) Ross, 74, a master mechanic who worked in the family paving business with his son and grandsons, passed away peacefully in his home on Jan. 6, 2019, surrounded by his family.

Son of John and Elizabeth (D’Urzo) Ross, Robert was born Jan. 23, 1944, in the homestead on Franklin Mountain.  Growing up, he felt the family homestead overlooking the City of the Hills was on top of the world.

Robert was very proud of his Italian heritage. His grandfather, Basilio D’Urzo (Joseph Ross), immigrated from the village of Cerrisin, Calabria, Italy, settling in West Davenport, where he raised a large family.

Robert was very knowledgeable about trains and enjoyed talking to people about the Roundhouse and his father, John, who was a D&H hostler for over 50 years.

In his youth, Robert enjoyed socializing/talking about trucks at the lower deck beer joints.  Robert was “old school” and missed the Ma & Pa grocery stores. He often patronized Daddy Al’s and Stewarts for chili and coffee.

Robert married Jean Reed in 1963 and had three children. He was a master mechanic and worked as a heavy-equipment operator/truck driver for many years.  He worked alongside of his son and grandsons in their family paving business.  He also was a valued influence on the construction of the new Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream & More.

He enjoyed working, whether it be baling hay on the family farm or building projects with his grandson, Matthew.

He is survived by his son Michael R. D’Urzo Ross (Heather); granddaughter Jessica (Kyle) Buel; grandson Matthew and his daughter Janette D’Urzo Ross; grandsons  Daniel Korenyik and Joseph (Clara) Korenyik; brother-in-laws Gerald (Anne) Reed, Roger (Christine) Reed and Steve (Salenda) Murphy, along with nieces, nephews and cousins from Canada, Western New York, Pennsylvania and Italy.

He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Albert & John, infant daughter Carol, wife Jean.

Robert requested a private family gathering; in celebration of his life, donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, Oneonta. Arrangements were made by Grummons Funeral Home.

Posted

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Related Articles

SCOLINOS: It’s All We Need To Know: Home Plate 17 Inches Wide

COLUMN VIEW FROM THE GAME It’s All We Need To Know: Home Plate 17 Inches Wide Editor’s Note:  Tim Mead, incoming Baseball Hall of Fame president, cited John Scolinos, baseball coach at his alma mater, Cal Poly Pomona, as a lifelong inspiration, particularly Scolinos’ famous speech “17 Inches.” Chris Sperry, who published sperrybaseballlife.com, heard Scolinos deliver a version in 1996 at the American Baseball Coaches Association in Nashville, and wrote this reminiscence in 1916 in his “Baseball Thoughts” column. By CHRIS SPERRY • from www.sperrybaseballlife.com In 1996, Coach Scolinos was 78 years old and five years retired from a college coaching…

Sports Can Resume, Superintendents Told

CLICK HERE FOR MEMO TO SCHOOLS Sports Can Resume, Superintendents Told COOPERSTOWN – In a memo released Friday evening, county Public Health Director Heidi Bond advised local school superintendents that sports can resume as early as Monday. “Effective Feb. 1, participants in higher-risk sports may participate in individual or distanced group training and organized no/low-contact group training,” Bond wrote, “…including competitions and tournaments, if permitted by local health authorities.”…

Piper Seamon Scores 1,000th point

1,000 THANKS! Piper Seamon 5th CCS Girl To Hit High Mark The Cooperstown Central student section erupts as Piper Seamon scores her 1,000th career point in the Hawkeyes’ 57-39 win over Waterville at home last evening. Seamon becomes the fifth girl and only the 14th player in school history overall to score 1,000 points.  Inset at right, Pipershares a hug with teammate Meagan Schuermann after the game was stopped to acknowledge her achievement. Seamon will play basketball next year at Hamilton College. (Cheryl Clough/AllOTSEGO.com)  …

Putting the Community Back Into the Newspaper

Now through March 30, new annual subscribers to “The Freeman’s Journal” and AllOtsego.com (or subscribers who have lapsed for two or more years) have an opportunity to help their choice of one of four Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice:

Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Cooperstown Food Pantry, Greater Oneonta Historical Society or Super Heroes Humane Society.