Robert L. Holmes, 76, formerly of 8936 Upper Street,
Rushford, passed away Friday, December 29, 2017 at Fiddlers Green Manor,
Springville after a lengthy illness.
Born on January 25, 1941, in Farmersville, he was a son of
Virgil and Grace Burrell Holmes. On
August 18, 1962 in the Hume Methodist Church he married his wife of 55 years
the former Edith M. France who survives.
Bob was a graduate of Rushford Central School Class of
1959. After high school he worked on a
farm for a couple years and then went to work for Dean Thornton driving
truck. He also drove for a short period
of time for Boehmer and Worster Motor Lines.
In the early 70’s he purchased his first truck and began
driving over the road. In 1976, he purchased Marvin Pomeroy’s Quaker State Oil
distributorship and owned that for the next twenty-five years. During those years he started driving bus for
the Rushford Central School and continued driving after the merger and retiring
from Cuba Rushford School after 30 years.
He loved treating all the children throughout the years as if they were
his own and found his greatest joy in helping others whenever possible. He especially enjoyed the sporting trips and
purchasing meals for the teams afterwards.
In 1986, he and his wife co-owned and operated the Country
Oven Bakery in Rushford until their daughter took over the business in 1996.
He and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United
States in their fifth wheel camper, but especially enjoyed the New England
States, meeting many people along the way.
Bob was a member of the Rushford Volunteer Fire Department
and at one time served as Fire Commissioner.
In addition to his loving and devoted wife he is survived by
a son, Robert V. (Tammy) Holmes of Rushford; 2 daughters, Laurie Sledge of Olean
and Tracy (Rick) Vedder Yorkshire; 6 g grandchildren, Nathan, Kristin (Luanne),
Jaleesa, Ryan (Amanda), Erick (Brianna), Jacob; 3 Great Grandchildren, Abigail,
Cameron, & Sullivan, a brother, Sam (June) Holmes, Dale, NY, several nieces
and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, a son-in-law George Sledge, and
his daughter Laurie’s partner Muhummed Ramadhan. Friends will be received at
the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street,
Cuba on Sunday, December 31, 2017 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services will
be held in the funeral home on Monday, January 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. The Rev.
Robert Dievendorf, pastor of Arcade United Church of Christ, Congregational,
will officiate. Burial will be in White Cemetery, Rushford, on Tuesday, January
2, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
Memorials in Bob’s name may be made to the Rushford
Volunteer Fire Department, 8911 Upper Street, Rushford, NY 14777, Western New
York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 2805 Wehrle Drive, Buffalo, NY
14221, or to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227.
