Robert Tinder

Robert Kendwood Tinder passed away Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal, N.Y.. We offer our thanks and appreciation to the staff for their concern and care in seeing Dad through his most difficult time.bnHe is survived by his daughters Mary Ellen (Fred) Kelley of Vestal, Kathleen Tinder, of Fort Myers, FL, and Jeanne (Jerry) Langevin of Sarasota, FL; by his grandchildren Scott Kelley, of Vestal, Jeremy (Jennifer) Osterhout of Fort Myers and Amy Evans of Sarasota; and by his great grandchildren Aiden, Liam and Kaelyn Osterhout of Fort Myers and Madison and Andrew Evans of Sarasota. Passing before him were his wife, the love of his life, Marguirite (Reilly) Tinder; his mom and dad, Stephen and Anna Grace (Wetmore) Tinder; brothers Stanley, Eldon, Alvoid, and Andrew and sisters Mary Lou, Eloise, Cora, Dorothy, and Veronica. He was born in Gaines, PA on February 19, 1923 and graduated from nearby Gayleton High School in 1941. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater of WWII until receiving his honorable discharge from service on December 6, 1945. Shortly thereafter, he began his career with IBM in Endicott, NY. He and mom married on July 23, 1949, a devout union that would not end until her death on May 26, 2010, nearly 61 years later. There will be no shortage of memories to ease the pain of our loss. He was always there for us, be it creeping under a car or crawling around on a roof. A skilled man of endless abilities, his hands were often covered with grease, dirt, water, or sweat. They were strong enough to loosen the tightest bolts yet gentle enough to handle the tiny pieces of his little girls’ precious possessions. Dad loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed tending to his annual vegetable garden and sharing his produce. He loved animals, especially the masters of the house, our pet dogs. He also enjoyed watching the birds at his many feeders. He and mom never missed our special events or those of their grandchildren, whether it was school or sports, social or sacred or merely a dinner together at home or out. Dad always was and always will be there with us. In addition to those at Willow Point, we also extend our gratitude to everyone at Castle Gardens and the Keepsake Village for their compassionate care and assistance in Dad’s final years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 11 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main Street, Vestal. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at church Wednesday from 10 am until Mass time at 11 am. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Alzheimer’s Associations.