CLIFTON PARK – Robert J. Schoonmaker, Sr., 82, formerly of Watervliet, died peacefully on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at the Haynes House of Hope in Granville with his family at his side. Born in Albany on September 16, 1935, he was the son of the late George Douglas and Margaret Ford Schoonmaker.
Bob was raised in the Port Schuyler section of Watervliet and attended School 1 and was a 1954 graduate of Watervliet High School where he played football, basketball, track and soccer. He later graduated from Hudson Valley Community College where he studied HVAC. He served his country as a member of the Naval Reserves.
He was employed as a maintenance manager at Morgan Linen in Menands for 37 years before retiring in 1997.
He was the president of the Watervliet High School Dad’s Club and helped build the new concession stand at the football field in 1979 and coached Pop Warner football and Little League baseball in Watervliet.
Bob was an avid golfer, an accomplished artist who painted portraits and who designed his class of ’54 yearbook, enjoyed fixing and tinkering around his home and attended all of his son, daughters and grandchildren’s sporting events.
He is the beloved husband of 61 years of Cynthia J. Farnham Schoonmaker; devoted father of Kimberly (David) Abbott of Baldwinsville, NY, Wendy (Lawrence) Henderson of Watervliet and Robert J. (Dorie) Schoonmaker, Jr. of Granville; proud grandfather of Andrew Henderson, Erica Schoonmaker (Dane Dudman), Erin (Kevin) Smith, Rachel (Tyler) Kelly, Renee (Mark) Connor and Andrew Abbott; great grandfather of Raegan Kelly, Maison Dudman, Grant Connor and Eloise Smith; brother of the late Douglas and Philip Schoonmaker and Jean Nittinger; brother in law of Carole (James) Geary and Ethelyn (Chester) Sapino. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet on Thursday from 4-7 pm followed by a funeral service at 7 pm with his dear friend, Donald Kane officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Haynes House of Hope, 7187 State Rt. 149, Granville, NY 12832 or www.thehayneshouseof hope.org.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.