Gary F Robbins

The son of Philip and Carol Schwartz Robbins and the oldest of three children, Gary was born August 18, 1955 in Meadeville, PA.

In 1961, the Robbins family moved to Oneonta, NY where Gary attended Bugbee School through junior high and graduated from Oneonta High School in 1973.

In September 1973, Gary entered the United States Navy. As a Petty Officer Second Class, Gary worked as a Cryogenic Technician. He served on naval ships all over the world. Gary suffered a severe injury to his thumb while stationed at Holy Loch Submarine Base in Scotland. After serving on active duty for six years Gary returned to Oneonta in late 1979.

After returning to Oneonta Gary worked at Mold-a-Matic where he met his future wife. Gary married Karen Harkenreader on November 1, 1980. They welcomed four children into their family; Jonathan, Jordan, Jessica and Jeannine.

Gary loved fixing things and he worked his entire career, from US Navy to retirement, as a machinist. Gary worked for Procter and Gamble for many years, retiring several years ago. While at Procter and Gamble Gary was union president for over a decade. As a veteran, Gary was a proud member of the VA.

As a child, Gary's history loving family traveled the east coast visiting many military forts and battlefields. Later in his life Gary shared the same type of vacations with his own children.

A voracious reader, Gary was a man of vast knowledge and interests, including United States and Civil War history and polar exploration. He had a great sense of humor and was a terrific storyteller.

Gary loved to spend time with family and friends at the family camp in Middlefield, N.Y. “The Property” was Gary's home away from home.

Gary is survived by his children; Jordan and Amanda Robbins, Jessica Robbins and Josh Gnage, and Jeannine Engelbrecht and Scott Fallon; Grandchildren; Lillie Robbins, Winter and Storm Gnage, Mackenzie, Brayden, Noah and Sawyer Englebrecht, Jackson and Jameson Robbins; Siblings; Gail Baden and Joel Robbins and wife Lisa Delsante and niece, Sarah Baden; Ex-wife, mother of his children and devoted friend, Karen Ryder; In-laws; Robert and Cathy Kelsey, Terry Harkenreader, and very special brother-in-law James Harkenreader.

Gary was predeceased by his eldest son, Jonathan G. Robbins, his parents, Philip and Carol Schwartz Robbins and in-laws, Frank and Joyce Harkenreader and Ed Ryder.

Friends are invited to greet the family at Lester Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta, NY on Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 3 to 5 pm. A time of sharing will begin at 4:30 pm.

Gary will be interred at Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta, NY.

Plans for a celebration of Gary's life will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Please visit www.grummonsfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or memory for the family.