Robert Sweet Sr.
RODMAN — Robert E. Sweet, Sr., 85, Park Avenue, formerly of Oneida, died Tuesday morning, September 29, 2009, in Central Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Syracuse, where he had been a resident for the past six months.
Born in East Rodman, on August 7, 1924, he was the son of Edward C. and Edith Carpenter Sweet. A graduate of Adams Center High School and Utica College of Syracuse University, with a bachelors degree in business administration, Bob married Adeline Rotella in Watertown on December 8, 1943. They moved with their family to Utica in 1956 and later to Oneida in 1971. Mrs. Sweet died on September 9, 2002.
At the time of his death, Mr. Sweet was serving as the chairman of the board of Hartman Enterprises, which he founded in 1972, following the purchase of the former Hinman Milking Machine Company, Inc. He previously was associated with Mohawk Industrial Labs of Vernon which he co-founded, the Bendix Aviation Division of Utica, where he served as an engineer and was employed and completed the apprenticeship program as a toolmaker with New York Air Brake in Watertown.
A veteran of World War II, Bob served with the United States Army, 17th Airborne Division, in the European Theatre, where he was a paratrooper and participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was decorated with the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge medals.
He was past president of the Industrial Management Council of Utica, a member and Past Master of the Sconondoa-Sherrill Masonic Lodge # 814 Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Ziyara Temple of the Shrine where he was involved with the annual Shriner's Circus, a member of the Knights Templar, Utica Consistory, a member of the American Legion Posts # 1153 Sylvan Beach, # 404 William Russell, Vernon and # 61 Watertown, and served as troop leader with the Boy Scouts, Utica Troop 26 and as council member of the Boy Scouts of America Land of the Oneida in Utica. Mr. Sweet was a communicant of St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Verona Beach and St. Patrick's Church, Oneida, when he resided in Oneida.
Surviving is one son and daughter-in-law, Robert E. and Julie Sweet, Jr. of Sherrill; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Sylvia and Joseph Schepisi of Canandaigua, Barbara J. Moore of Vernon, Ann Marie and Paul Finch of North Fort Myers, Florida and Carol Lynn and William Bevilacqua of Poestenkill; one sister and two brothers-in-law, Rosalyn and Harold Parish of Liverpool and Harold Hodge of Rodman; thirteen grandchildren, nineteen great grand-children, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Edward, Harry and Gordon Sweet and one sister, Venita Hodge.
Funeral services will be held 8:15 AM, Saturday from the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main Street, Oneida and 9 AM from St. Helena's Church, Sherrill where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Reverend William Mesmer, pastor. Interment, with full military honors, will be made in Crown Hill Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home, 4-8 PM, Friday. Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the Sconondoa-Sherrill Masonic Lodge # 814, Box 814, Vernon or the William Russell Post # 404 American Legion, 5211 W. Seneca Street, Vernon, NY 13476. Envelopes for these fund may be obtained at the funeral home.
