| Date of Birth | July 7, 1948 |
| Date Deceased | August 14, 2021 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | August 19, 2021 |
| Service Time | 1 p.m. |
| Service Location | Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Fremont |
Robert M. Criss
HORNELL-Robert M. Criss, 73, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, early Saturday morning (Aug. 14, 2021) at his home on Chaddock Avenue.
Born in Hornell on July 7, 1948 he was a son of the late Robert N. and Eunice (Kuhn) Criss. On June 12, 1976 he married the love of his life, Mary Grassi at the former St. Joachim’s Church in Canisteo. He knew she was the one for him and three days after they met he proposed to her.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Bob was a graduate of Hornell High School class of 1966. He proudly and bravely served his country with the Marine Corps from 1967 to his honorable discharge as a Corporal in 1970; he served in Okinawa and Vietnam, where he received injuries.
After his military service he returned to Hornell and for about one year he was employed at Stern & Stern Textiles in Hornell and was self-employed as a carpenter and painter. From 1976 to 1980 he was employed by the Delaware & Hudson (D & H) Railroad as a conductor and brakeman. In 1981 he began his employment with Alfred University as a carpenter and later became employed with General Electric in Hornell and for nearly 27 years he was an electrician at Alstom, retiring in 2010.
Besides being a diehard Yankees and Bills fan, Bob was also a car and motorcycle enthusiast and was a proud owner of a Harley. He also loved to read and enjoyed doing cross word puzzles and word search. His other favorite pastimes included walking and his daily visits to Wegmans for coffee and donuts with friends. Bob was a “jack of all trades” and an excellent carpenter; he could repair plumbing and anything mechanical and electrical. He was able to make anyone laugh and will be fondly remembered for his well-known “Bobisms.” Throughout his life he survived many challenges and he will be dearly missed by his beloved family.
His loving family includes his wife of 45 years, Mary; two children, Aaron Criss (Jason Bisker) of Painted Post, NY and Amanda Criss of Hornell; one sister, Regina (Joseph) Riefer of Hornell; one brother, Lee (Barbara) Criss also of Hornell; two sisters-in-law, Linda (Edward) Ryan of Rochester, NY and Patricia Grassi of Clearwater, FL; one brother-in-law, Michael (Nel) Grassi of Arlington, TX; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his son, Adam Criss on Dec. 14, 1993 and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Toby and Janet (Miller) Grassi.
Calling hours are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 19, 2021) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral service will be held following calling hours at 1 p.m. Thursday, with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Committal services and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont. Unvaccinated people are kindly asked to wear a face mask. Thank you for understanding.The services will be live streamed and may be seen either on the homepage of www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com (please see link for live stream) or on the Facebook page of Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. for 30 days beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 19, 2021).
The United States flag and the Marine Corps flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Bob’s military service.
Those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Ronald McDonald House, 333 Westmoreland Drive, Rochester, NY 14620 in honor of his late son, Adam. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to assist Bob’s family with the arrangements.
So sorry for your loss. Bob was a wonderful man and he will be missed. He always went out of his way to spread to me at work at Alstom when he saw me. May he rest in peace
Bobby was my first cousin. I remember him as a hard working kind hearted cheerful person who will be missed by many.
Bob, you will surely be missed by all of us. We enjoyed so many laughs with you.
You will be remembered as a great husband, Dad and brother-in-law. May God bring you peace as you enter the heavenly gates. I know that Adam, and all of our families will greet you with love.