| Date of Birth | November 11, 1941 |
| Passed Away | February 11, 2012 |
| Place of Residence | Arkport |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | February 17, 2012 |
| Service Time | 4:00 PM |
| Service Location | Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home |
| Interment Location | Arkport Heritage Hill Cemetery |
ROBERT E. BLY
ARKPORT-Robert E. Bly, 70, of 7961 State Route 36, Arkport, passed away Saturday evening (Feb. 11, 2012) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Hornell on Nov. 11, 1941, he was a son of the late Robert and Eleanor Prior Bly. On Feb. 19, 1966 he was married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell to the former Carolyn Sue Ramsay, who survives.
A former resident of Hornell, Bob has resided in Arkport since 1966 and he proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy from 1961 to his honorable discharge in 1965.
For 33 years he was employed by the NYSDOT, retiring in 2003 as a Light Maintenance Foreman and was always well respected by his coworkers.
Bob was a member of the Arkport Memorial American Legion Post No. 1248 and was also an avid fisherman and hunter.
His family includes his wife of 46 years, Carolyn Sue; his two children, Robert E. Jr. (Corrie) Bly of Fontana, Calif. and Ellen Michelle (William) Batzel of Livonia; his eight grandchildren, Alyssa, Brittany, Zachery, Jessica, Ondrea and Rebecca, Owen and Ethan; his three great-grandchildren; his brother, John (Norma) Bly of Bath; his two aunts, Virginia Nicholson of Williamson and May Prior of Buffalo; also his nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, SFC William D. Bly on April 13, 2007 and his grandson, Alexander in Oct. of 1991.
Calling hours are from 7-9 p.m. Thursday (the Arkport American Legion will conduct a memorial service at 8:30 p.m. Thursday) and 2-4 p.m. Friday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell where a funeral and committal service, with military honors, will be held following calling hours at 4 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Mark Blankenship officiating. Interment will be in the Arkport Heritage Hill Cemetery.
The United States flag and the Navy flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Bob’s service with the U. S. Navy.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Memories of ‘Uncle Bob’ will always make us smile. His love for his dogs, his enjoyment of his backyard pool, his wonderful laugh and his big bear hugs all conjure up feelings of the the Bob we and our girls loved. I particularly remember him with both our daughters on his lap, patiently explaining the stories behind his tattoos – they each now sport their own and I have no doubts their small flowers bring back fond thoughts of those visits with their Uncle Bob. We will all miss him.
I am so sorry for your loss. May God be watching over you all on earth and in heaven.
Bobby, I loved the description of “avid fisherman and hunter.” Like all the Bly men, you liked the outdoors and loved to fish and hunt. I know that you are in heaven now and have been embraced by my Grandfather and your Great-grandfather John who have been taking care of Bill until you arrived. From one dog lover to another, thanks making the animal shelter your last priority.
Our heartfelt sympathy
Mick and Marj