ROCHESTER - Robert F. Holroyd, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday Dec. 7, 2012.
He was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Jamestown, N.Y., the son of the late Edmond Sr. and Effie (Carlson) Holrody, and was raised at 103 Myrtle St., Jamestown, N.Y.
Bob was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Lois (Klix) Holroyd on Sept. 16, 1992; and brother, Edmond Holroyd Jr. of Pittsford, N.Y.
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Robert F. Holroyd
He is survived by his brothers: Richard Holroyd of Long Island, and Howard Holroyd, of Jamestown, N.Y.; children: Bruce (Kathleen) Holroyd of Greece, and Kimberly (Thomas) Maier of Danbury, Conn.; grandchildren: Rebecca and David Holroyd of Greece, Timothy (Victoria) Maier of Buzzards Bay, Mass., and Megan Maier of Danbury, Conn.; several cousins and nephews; and two sisters-in-law.
A 1942 graduate of Jamestown High School, Bob attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1941. Bob's father, Edmond Sr., his father, was the first Eagle Scout in Jamestown, earning it in 1915. His three brothers, son and two grandsons are also Eagle Scouts, along with nine other family members making for 17 Eagle Scouts in the Holroyd family.
Bob enjoyed both traveling and photography. He was very active at both Messiah Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word serving on various committees including finance, building and organ committees.
Bob spent more than 60 years tracing his family tree, taking trips to England and Sweden to find his roots. He was an active member of the Rochester Genealogy Society Inc. and Kodak Genealogy Club. Bob was also an early member of the Rochester Theater Organ Society, as he enjoyed listening to and attending theater organ music concerts.
Bob attended Wooster College in Ohio, prior to serving our country. While attending Wooster, he was called into the Army and served in the 45th Division during World War II. Bob received the Purple Heart for wounds he endured at the battle of Anzio, Italy. After being honorably discharged from the army, Bob attended Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a certificate in color photography. After graduating from RIT, Bob attended the Progressive School of Photography in New Haven, Conn. studying camera repair.
Bob married Lois Klix on October 13, 1951, while working for the U.S. Post Office and running his own camera repair shop in Jamestown, N.Y. He was later employed by Eastman Kodak for 34 years. Bob attended night school while his children were young, and graduated in 1962, with a Bachelor of Science degree in general studies from the University of Rochester. In Bob's retirement, he spent many years as a docent at the George Eastman House, as well as "Sir Holly," the clown with Grease Paint Alley Clowns. He also enjoyed bus tours with his wife and friends.
Friends and family are invited to call Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 4-7 p.m., at VaySchleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Road, Greece Chapel. His funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4301 Mt. Read Blvd, Rochester, NY 14616. Interment with military honors will be held immediately following at White Haven Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, Rochester and Finger Lakes Region, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.
The family would also urge you to contact your local congressman and senator to ask them to quickly increase the research funding into finding the cure for Alzheimer's. This terrible disease has taken Bob and millions others.
The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia, who provided excellent care for him during the past six years.