Robert G. Gabor

Robert G. Gabor, 85, of Westvale, passed away Monday, January 25, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Born and raised in the “Skunk City” section, Bob was a lifetime resident of the Syracuse area. He graduated from Most Holy Rosary High School in 1942. Robert served in General Patton’s Third Army as an automatic rifleman, a survivor of the “Battle of the Bulge” in World War II. He earned the Combat Infantry badge, the Bronze Star medal, and three battle stars. In 1979, after 34 years, he retired from the US Postal Service. Bob had lifelong interests in Native Americans, archaeology, and Irish history and culture. At age 17, he was adopted into the Turtle Clan of the Mohawk Nation in the presence of members of the other Iroquois Nations. He had a talent for creating Native American beadwork, rattles and headdresses. A communicant of Holy Family Church, Bob was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He brought Irish step dancing to CNY and supported it faithfully. A charter member and founding chairman of the North American FEIS Commission, Bob followed his interests in Irish music and dance through this organization which fosters and promotes the “FEIS” as an Irish cultural event. From the three original Feiseanna that met in Oct. 1968, there are now over 200 such events being held across the North American continent. Supported and nurtured in all of these endeavors by his loving wife, Gertrude, for 60 years, she predeceased him in March 2008. He was also predeceased by his beloved daughter, Martha Myers, in 2006. Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Rosemary and Gregory Fitts of Forestport; son, Michael of Westvale; son-in-law, George Myers of Baldwinsville; grandsons, Matthew Myers of Las Vegas, Nevada and Daniel Fitts of Seattle, Washington; step-grandson, Jonathan Myers of Liverpool; life-long friend, Roland Bott of Marcellus; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 29 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Relatives and friends may call Thursday, January 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum, St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Family Food Pantry, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse, NY 13219.