Robert Wallace

Robert Wallace of East Marion passed away peacefully Oct. 1, 2017, with his family by his side. He was 65.

Born on Sept. 5, 1952, in Kew Gardens, Queens to Lester and Lillian Wallace. The man everyone affectionately called “Bobby” would relocate to  East Marion with his family shortly after his birth, and this is where Bobby would spend the rest of his life.

Predeceased by his parents; his grandson, Benjamin Patrick and his brother in-law, Jeff, Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Katherine; his children Gregory (Linda), Jacquelyn (Kurt), Nicole (Charles III), five grandchildren, Nicholas, Camden, Shane, Garrett & Charles IV as well as his siblings, Linda and Gary. He also leaves behind his father-in-law and mother in-law, John and Helen Heaney as well as the rest of the Heaney Family.

For over 40 years, Bobby worked at East End Marine as a truck driver, salesmen and a customer service representative. After retiring from East End Marine, Bob would spend a short stint Peconic Landing in the transportation department, earning Employee of the Month in May of 2016.

Bobby was a fixture as a weeknight bartender at Skipper’s in Greenport for over 15 years, where he developed a niche following. In addition he was a devoted communicant and volunteer at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport.

Bobby joined fire service in 1970 at the age of 18 when he was voted into the East Marion Fire Department. During the subsequent 47 years, Bobby dedicated himself to the protection of life and property here in Southold Town. During the course of his nearly five decade tenure in the fire service Bob had a short detour as a member of the Standard Hose Co. in Greenport and the Greenport Rescue Squad from 1974 to 1978, but the rest of the time was spent as a loyal and faithful member of East Marion Fire Department.

Over the course of his distinguished career in East Marion, in addition to receiving numerous awards and commendations, he would serve as an EMT, rescue squad officer, head driver, chief of department and fire commissioner. Bob got to see his son follow in his footsteps as chief of department, but what was undoubtedly his proudest moment as a member of East Marion was the day he watched his grandson Nicholas voted in as a member of the department, thus cementing the Wallace family alongside the proud, but fading tradition of multigenerational service to the East Marion Fire Department.

On the other hand, his proudest moment as a father was walking his daughter Jackie down the aisle, and even though he missed out on doing that for his daughter Nicole, she needs to know that he wanted nothing more for her than to be happy and he will be with her always.

Bobby had a few interesting idiosyncratic personality traits.  He would give you the shirt off his back and absolutely drive you nuts in the process. Bobby also loved to laugh and tell jokes, and the majority of them were funny. It was well known that if you laughed at the first joke more were coming. But for all his flaws there was never any maliciousness behind his motivation. He was a dedicated father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and brother-in-law and devoted husband to the love of his life, Katherine.

Every marriage has its ups and downs but, their relationship is the embodiment of the vows  “for better or worse,” “in sickness in health” and “until death do us part”. Their unyielding devotion to each other in good times and bad is a testament to what their marriage was, a true partnership in every sense of the word. Their love commitment to each other was just as strong at the end as it was 43 years ago when they exchanged their vows on October 4, 1974.

Although so many are devastated by the loss of  Bobby, there will come a day when a smile comes to their face before a tear comes to their eye when they think of him. Just by saying his name… Bobby…you can’t help but crack a smile.

The family received visitors Oct. 4 at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport, where a firematic service took place. A funeral Mass was held Oct. 5 at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. Burial followed at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Benjamin Patrick Wallace Memorial Scholarship, care of Gregory Wallace, 9 Red Oak Court, Calverton, NY 11933; The Heaney Scholarship, care of Anne Marie Heaney-Chouinard, 532 Whiteleysburg Road, Harrington, DE  19952; or St Agnes R.C. Church, 523 Front Street Greenport, NY 11944.

This is a paid notice.