Robert George Mitchell

Mitch was born in Jersey City, NJ and raised in West New York, NJ. He worked for GCIU Local 1 as a Union Representative for many years, retiring in 2003 as their Vice President. Mitch was extremely involved in Union activism even after retiring. He was a member and volunteer of the Mt. Hope Historical Society in Otisville, NY where the Mitchell family discovered the full bones of a mastodon on their farm in 1872; still on display at the Peabody Museum at Yale.

Mitch was also active in volunteering at the American Labor Museum-Botto House National Landmark in Haledon, NJ. He was instrumental in putting together an on-site exhibition that opened in Spring 2002 and a Museum In A Suitcase traveling exhibit available for borrowing; his knowledge and guidance will undoubtedly be missed.

Mitch had a lifelong love of reading, paging through book after book taking in all the stories and knowledge he could. He was a scholar of Yogi-isms. He was an avid angler always ready to drop a line in the nearest body of water while exploring the woods and nature. He loved his Triumph motorcycles, his wife Pat (wonderful stories of their courtship), his children Jenny & Joshua, his grandson Jesse, his life on the lake, his big shepherd dog, the "Agway" cat and Smoke and Ruby. He was a diligent steward of the household lands/gardens and all riparian areas.

Mitch was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Alice Marie Mitchell. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia Mitchell; his daughter, Jennifer Diehl and her husband, Frank; his son, Joshua Mitchell; and his grandson, Jesse Diehl.

Memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be made to: American Labor Museum, Botto House National Landmark, 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ 07508.

Arrangements are private under the care of Wood Funeral Home, Branchville, NJ. Mitch will be sent to be with his decades-long fishing buddy, George on the Esopus. Please cast a fly upon the water in his honor from wherever you are.

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