(315) 363-4110 • Sherrill, NY | (315) 829-2626 • Vernon, NY
(315) 363-4110 • Sherrill, NY | (315) 829-2626 • Vernon, NY
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Graig Klein posted a condolence
Saturday, December 28, 2024
I was asked to give the grandkids’ & great grandkids’ eulogy because I’m the oldest grandson. But we know it’s actually because I’m the better looking one. Sorry Erik, sometimes the truth hurts. In all seriousness we grandchildren are so lucky to have known him for so long & to a show him who we became as we grew up. That we grew as people with him. And for the great grandchildren to have known him & form memories of him as physically capable & mentally lucid. We should be so grateful for this.
Grandpa taught us the values of hard work & determination. Grandpa taught us not be afraid of challenges & to continuously pursue our goals even if the path isn’t straight & obstacles arise along the way. And Grandpa taught us to be courteous & that there’s always more to learn.
Grandpa had a sense of adventure & curiosity & yet knew how to balance that with patience & appreciating the people, events & animals around him no matter how small they were or seem to be. Whether it was sitting at the dining table at the farm with his dad’s binoculars watching birds & deer & learning their habits or after moving to Sherrill & sitting at the dining room window or on the front porch watching the birds, occasional deer & new neighbours & learning about their habits. He was always curious & wanted to learn.
He wasn’t afraid to try new things & would fix lots of things his way. Grandpa was always prepared to figure out how to make a broken thing work. Maybe the best example of this were the coffee tins of rusty nails & screws in the backroom closet at the farm. The end product wasn’t always pretty but it’d work.
I didn’t realize how much of a lesson this was and the impression it made on me until we bought a house & unpacked jars of screws & nails that had been collecting and moved from Binghamton, to Washington DC, to NYC, and the Netherlands. And turns out, it’s quite handy to have a collection of random hardware when you have to fix and maintain a house.
Grandpa always wanted to learn. His curiosity and determination allowed him to teach himself to sail. When we were lucky enough to be out on his sailboat with him, we were able to glimpse his youthful excitement and pure joy. The only thing he loved more than sailing was Grandma and his family. He read sailing books & magazines, played sailing computer games, watched videos on YouTube, sat & watched others’ sailboats to see how they tackled different conditions and challenges, and wandered the aisles of West Marine any chance he got. This all kept him winning sailing races into his 90s. So, either he learned a lot, kept learning & was a good sailor & captain OR he knew how to pick the right sailing club that is filed with people who don’t actually know how to sail.
Grandpa planned on living into his 100s. I think we all knew this plan. While I know that’s a pipedream that’s ultimately uncontrollable, I believed him. It’s made his death hard to process. Living to 96 and being married for 75 years are both amazing. And still cracking jokes and willing himself into attending family events right up until the end are also both amazing.
I’m confident that his endless curiosity, desire to learn and try new things, sense of confronting challenges head-on, and always keeping his love for Grandma & his family as guiding principles allowed us all to love, appreciate, and learn from Grandpa for all these years. He’s built a path for us to follow, one that I know inspires me and my cousins. He’ll be greatly missed.
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David Kettell posted a condolence
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Uncle Bob, there's not enough time or words to express my sadness that you are not here; but you will be with me forever. You are truly one of the most kindness and nicest person that I will ever know.
One of my memories is as growing up coming to see you and Aunt Helen, Bobby, Diane, Christine, Nancy & Janet every summer and having a great time. Going to the Morris County Fair, family Thanksgiving Dinners and Hunting Season with my dad and my friends.
Another memory was when having dinner and reaching across the table was not to be with Uncle Bob, just say lesson learned.
Thank you, Uncle Bob, for all the great memories you have given me that will last forever.
I love you and miss you.
David Kettell
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Linda Lovy posted a condolence
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Bob was such a kind man. I am sorry that Cain and I were unable to attend the service.
I am grateful that David and Cain had opportunities to sail together on Bob’s boat. I am certain that Cain learned a lot about sailing from Bob, and David likely learned many things as well.
Bob will be greatly missed.
- Linda Lovy
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John Garzione posted a condolence
Sunday, September 15, 2024
His smile and sense of humor always made my day and I always looked forward to seeing him.
Heartfelt condolences to his family who he loved so much
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Love, Nancy & Steve Pattarini planted a tree in memory of Robert Eklund
Friday, September 13, 2024
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With fond remembrance of Bob Eklund's kind heart, wonderful sense of humor, and overflowing joy of life. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Anett and Krisztian from St. Augustine purchased flowers
Thursday, September 12, 2024
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Anett and Krisztian from St. Augustine
purchased the Ocean Breeze Spray for the family of Robert Eklund.
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Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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Eileen Tello uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
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Q: What will you never forget about Robert?
A: My dear “Uncle” Bob,
As a girl from the suburbs, I looked forward to our visits to the farm every summer. We knew we were getting close when we started to see cows along the way. You were so patient with us, showing us how to milk a cow and picking up bales of hay. You and my dad were always joking, and my mom and Aunt Helen were best friends from their childhood in Greenpoint. Thank you for taking such good care of us and giving us memories to last a lifetime.
With love, Photos are you showing us a baby piglet in Indiana. RIP
Eileen (Schade) Tello
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Jenna K. uploaded photo(s)
Monday, September 9, 2024
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My grandpa, Robert F. Eklund, was a wonderful man, admired and enjoyed by all those who knew him. He was an expert conversationalist, who took the time to really listen to others. Always curious to learn, he would research topics that others cared about so that he could talk to them about their interests and hobbies. He was well-versed in an array of topics, but when in doubt, he was the first to ask his trusted friend, “Mr. Google” to learn more. His humor is one of my favorite things about him. He could get anyone laughing with his wit, and perfectly timed jokes. I swear he just got funnier as he got older. His wit never failed, even up until his final days. He used his humor to bring people together, diffuse moments of tension, and remind us not to take life too seriously.
He was inspirational in his love of life and pursuit to get the most out of it. He always said, “I’m going to live to 100,” and he got pretty dang close. Not only that, but he lived a great, adventure and love filled life. He traveled all over with my Grandma and had many great stories to share. He went after the things he wanted, like, despite being a boy from Queens, NY, pursuing his love of agriculture and eventually buying his own farm, or like buying a beat up sail boat, fixing it, teaching himself to sail, and going on to win races for the rest of his life (yes, even this year!).
I feel so grateful that he and my grandma were there for all my birthdays, Halloweens, and countless recitals, games, and other special events. I have so many special memories with him; playing checkers, being on his boat, listening to his stories, bird watching, helping him in the garden, traveling to New Orleans, Spain, and my grandparent’s visit to Iowa for my MM graduation. My brother Graig and I spent a week each summer at my grandparent’s farm which, as a kid, felt like winning the lottery. We always went on exciting adventures with them, ate lots of ice cream, and made so many special memories that I hold close to my heart.
The last gift he gave me was being there for mine and Sam’s wedding last month - always a giver and a family man. I will miss him forever, but cherish the memories and the truly amazing life he lived.
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Kay Curtin posted a condolence
Sunday, September 8, 2024
I am so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was always such fun to spend a little time visiting with.
He had a very special way of wandering into one’s heart; yet I know he has somehow found his way to
the sleekest, fastest sailboat he could ever have hoped to find…sail on, my friend. Sail on!
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The family of Robert F. Eklund uploaded a photo
Saturday, September 7, 2024
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Robert Eklund
Saturday, September 7, 2024
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Malecki Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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464 Sherrill Road
Sherrill, New York 13461
T: (315) 363-4110
F: 315-829-3669
E: maleckifuneralhome@centralny.twcbc.com
23 Front Street
Vernon, New York 13476
T: (315) 829-2626
F: 315-829-3669
E: maleckifuneralhome@centralny.twcbc.com