J. Doane, Robert

INTERLAKEN-

Robert J. Doane, of 3671 County Road 150, Interlaken, passed away at Cayuga Medical Center on Monday, August 26, 2002 at the age of 79.

Born on March 30, 1923 on the family farm in Ovid, New York, Bob was the son of Madison Doane and Bethiah Mattison Doane. Schooling for Bob began in a one-room schoolhouse in Sheldrake in 1930. He continued his education with attendance at both the Townline and Interlaken Schools. Bob was instrumental in keeping the family farm in operation, working side by side with his father, until he accepted a position at the Willard Psychiatric Center in 1942. Another memorable date for Bob in 1942 was his marriage to Elizabeth Grube in a July ceremony.

In 1943 his Country called and Bob stepped forward by enlisting in the US Army. He served as a cook with the
347th General Service Engineers, (which was a part of General Patton's Regiment), who were responsible for building bridges across much of Europe. Bob received an Honorable Discharge on November 18, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. (Bob also served in the US Army Reserves, with the 343rd Medical Battalion, from March 23, 1949 to January 15, 1951.

In January of 1946 Bob returned to his full-time position at Willard for 32 years, retiring in 1978. With his hard work ethic, Bob also kept a number of "irons in the fire" over this 32 year span. One additional job was that of a substitute rural mail carrier, which years later progressed to a full-time mail carrier until 1981.

From 1963-1978, Bob also drove a school bus for the South Seneca School District. During this time period, Bob served several terms as a board member of the Lake View Cemetery Assn. in Interlaken. (For over 25 years Bob prepared the graves at Lake View Cemetery with the same backhoe that he purchased in 1969.) Bob also operated a Ford Tractor Dealership, called "Doane's Tractor Sales", on Route 89 for 7 years.

Bob had an unquenchable appetite for agriculture. From the time that he could first remember, agriculture was a big part of his life. From 1946 to 1960 he operated his own farm. Throughout his adult life, Bob's shop has always been open to his friends. He has designed and built countless tools, machines and accessories to make the hard-working farmer's and neighbor's jobs a little easier.

Since 1956, Bob has been instrumental in the "Madison Doane" Family Reunions. He also served as President of the Lake View Cemetery Board from 1991-1996, was a life member of both the Interlaken and South Seneca Sportsmans Clubs, has been a member of the Farmerville-Union Lodge #183 F&AM in Interlaken since 1967, was a Charter Member of the Arthur G. Depew, VFW Post #6200 in Ovid and was proud to be a 65 year Democrat!

Bob was preceded in death by an infant son Thomas John Doane and by a long-time companion Edna Frisbee.

He is survived by one son, Timothy J. Doane, Sr. of Ovid; one daughter, Judith B. Allen of Interlaken; 4 granddaughters, Kathleen and Karen Morrow, Debbie (Dave) Lincoln and Pennie ("Dozier") Mills; 3 grandsons, Timothy J. Doane, Jr., Robert Doane and Christopher Doane; 5 great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Merithew of Naples; one nephew, several nieces and cousins and a long-time family friend and companion, Yvonne Williams of Interlaken.

Services will be held at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg on Friday, August 30, 2002 at 12:00 pm. Prayers of Committal and Full Military Honors will follow at the Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken.

The family will be present to receive their friends, at the Funeral Home, on Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Contributions in Bob's memory may be directed to the Lake View Cemetery Assn, C/O Mrs. Diane B. Nelson, P.O. Box 35, Interlaken, NY 14847.

For additional information please call the funeral home at 1-888-534-5446..

Page Submitted By:

Joseph L. Sibley, Director

Ness-Sibley Funeral Home