Obituary of Robert W Gruenfelder

Robert William Gruenfelder of Grahamsville, passed from this world to eternal life on the afternoon of Monday, April 12th at Garnett Health Medical Center in Middletown, in the loving embrace of his family. On November 11, 1945 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Bob was born to his loving parents Amelia and Jacob Gruenfelder. Since he was born on Veteran's Day, he often liked to joke that school was closed each year just to celebrate his birthday. He and his older brother Raymond spent a happy childhood in Brooklyn, later moving to Ozone Park, Queens when he was a teenager. As a young man, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an electrician and E4 petty officer, receiving an honorable discharge after 4 years of dedicated service. An extremely skilled woodworker and carpenter, Bob worked for years as a stagehand for CBS in Manhattan, constructing the sets for several television shows and special events, including the World Olympic Games. His family was always in awe of the beautiful pieces he lovingly created and gifted to many throughout the years. A man of faith, Bob was a longtime communicant at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Woodbourne, NY. On a cold and snowy evening in October 1988, while out with a friend at Scallywags in Monticello, Bob met a lovely lady named Dottie, and on that evening, a beautiful and enduring love story began. Bob and Dottie would be married on April 5, 1997, blending their two families into one, creating a home full of love and sharing 21 years of marriage. Through Dottie's 27- year struggle with cancer, Bob stood beside her, loving her through each diagnosis and attending to her needs with uncompromised love and devotion. Bob, your family thanks you. Your complete devotion to your family and unsurpassed example of love will be your legacy, and we will do our very best to carry it forward in your honor. Bob leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter Elise Gruenfelder Pantino and his son-in-law, Tom and their daughter Julia, his (step)daughter, Lisa Conti Malone and her husband, Tom and their son Mason, and his (step)daughter Christy Conti Hernandez and her husband, Pedro and their children Matthew, Grace, Christian, Maria, Pedro, Joseph and Robert. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Louise, nephew, Raymond and his wife Joanie, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. In addition to his wife and parents, his son Robert Gruenfelder, Jr. and his brother Raymond Gruenfelder, Sr. were among those waiting to welcome him to eternal life. Our family wishes to thank the relatives and friends who have walked alongside our Bobby, and us, on this journey. Your love and prayers have made all the difference to us. A heartfelt thank you to Father Edward Bader for his love and support, as well as to Father Simon and Gabe Morrow at Garnett Health Medical Center for their spiritual support. We also wish to thank the countless dedicated medical professionals and staff who cared for Bob and attended to his needs during his recent hospital stay. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, April 15th at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, April 16th at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 264 North Main Street, Liberty, NY 12754. Father Ed Bader will be the Celebrant. Guidelines set forth by the State of New York will be followed, masks and social distancing are required at all times. Both Dottie and Bob were grateful for the support they received from Hospice. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties Inc, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or at www.hospiceoforange.com. Thank you. Arrangements under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialfamilyfuneralhomes.com.