IN MEMORIAM

Robert E. Covert, 85; Retired

Officer Was Police Chief’s Dad

HARTWICK – Robert Ellis Covert, 85, a retired police officer and father of Cooperstown Police Chief Michael K. Covert, passed away Sunday,  Dec. 11, 2016, at his home on West Hill, after suffering from Alzheimer’s for 10 years.

He was born Sept. 19, 1931, at Hackensack Hospital in Hackensack, N.J., a son of Ellis Anderson and Edna May (Ockenholt) Covert.

After graduating from high school, Bob joined the Navy on Feb. 4, 1949.  He served during the Cold War as a diesel mechanic on submarines based in New London, Conn.  On Jan. 30, 1953, he received his honorable discharge.

On Sept. 22, 1956, he married Ruth Ann Schilling in Wyckoff, N.J.

Throughout his life Bob worked as a garbage man, a motor vehicle inspector for the State of New Jersey and as a police officer for the Borough of Oakland, N.J.,, retiring as a lieutenant in the 1980s.

He spent the rest of his life living in Hartwick. Bob was active with the Hartwick American Legion Post No. 1567, helped form and was an active member with his wife, Ruth, of the Wanderers and Reminiscers car clubs, and served as a member of the Hartwick Town Planning Board.

He loved his family, friends and pets, and enjoyed life with his wife on the West Hill Toy Farm. He really loved all his toys, especially his toy trucks and cars that were his passions.   For years Bob was known as the “Hershey Kiss Man,” handing out Hershey Kisses to women everywhere he went.  He will be greatly missed.

In addition to Chief Covert, he is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Jon Sammis of Petersham, Mass.; three granddaughters, Colleen Witter and husband, Jason, of West Winfield, Dana Conte and husband, Nathan, of Hartwick, and Lisa Covert and companion, Jason Rashkow of Westford; one great-grandson, Joseph Conte; one great-granddaughter, Kathryn Conte; a sister, Natalie Keene of Suffern; a brother-in-law, William Schilling and companion, Marilyn Dougherty of Hartwick; several nieces and nephews; and his care provider, Deborah Wengert.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Covert, who died Dec. 7, 2014; and two sisters, Mary Catherine Brangen and Jean Lois La Chaunce.

A celebration of his life picnic and service will be held May 20, 2017, at his home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Hartwick Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 208, Hartwick, NY  13348 or Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.