Obituary of Robert C. Amis
Robert Clair Amis, known to friends and family as “Bob,” passed away on November 3, 2017, at the age of 74.
Bob was born in Windber, PA, to Peter and Gladys Amis and was little brother to his sister Nancy. He grew up in Hollidaysburg, PA, and after graduating high school enlisted in the Navy. After successfully completing his service he attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, where he was a member of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, on the diving team, baseball team, and co-captain of the football team. There, he graduated with his BA.
In 1968, he moved with his new wife to Rochester, NY, and began his teaching career in the Greece Central School District. His first child, Peter, was born shortly after the move in January of 1969.
While teaching, Bob maintained his athleticism by playing softball with, what turned out to be, a very competitive and successful team that eventually won a national championship and thus was represented in the National Softball Hall of Fame. His love for the game translated into his professional career, as he and his colleague and best friend, Frank Connell, organized annual camping trips to Cooperstown, NY, taking their entire 6th grade classes to the Baseball Hall of Fame where they would play a goodwill softball game with the local 6th grade team.
In 1980, Bob met his future wife Laurie, a new and fellow teacher. She would soon introduce Bob and Peter to her family. We met Laurie’s mother Mary, her four brothers, and father, Fred, whom Bob would grow to be as a son.
Along with meeting the family, Bob would be introduced to her family’s longtime vacation destination in the Thousand Islands, where they eventually bought their own slice of this place they fell in love with. After marrying in 1986, Bob, Laurie, and Pete were joined by newborn Alana in 1987. The Amis family also called several Golden Retrievers inseparable parts of their family. Cashew, Belle, Jolie, and, just this past year, Emma, have come and gone, but will never be forgotten. Truly a dog loving family.
Throughout Bob and Laurie’s professional lives, Alana’s school years, and Peter’s college degrees, they resided in Greece, NY. , and vacationed in the Thousand Islands. After Laurie’s retirement in 2012, Bob and Laurie moved permanently to the home they built on Goose Bay, and also spent the winter months in Port Charlotte, FL.
In general, Bob could be best described as a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, dedicated teacher, and friend to all. He lived life to the fullest but was also content to just sit and enjoy relaxing. He loved entertaining family and friends, and feeding them delicious home cooked meals. He invited everyone he knew (and sometimes didn’t know) to stop by for a boat ride and a beer on the St. Lawrence River. Every day he lived his motto: “Do at least one nice thing for someone every day.” In his latest years he cherished coffee time and breakfast with his buddies, Manhattan cocktails with family and friends, and circling desirable used car ads with his favorite gel pen in the classifieds while chewing an ever-present toothpick.
Bob is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laurie Jean André-Amis, son Pete Clair Amis, and daughter Alana André Amis. He also leaves his sister, Nancy Krill; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph, Richard (Pam), James (Gina) & William Andre; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Gladys Amis, his brother-in-law, Joseph Krill and his sister-in-law, Mary Pat Dennis-Andre.
Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, November 9th from 2 - 5 p.m. at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., 735 East Avenue in Hilton, followed by a Memorial Service at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. A Celebration of Bob’s life will be continue at 6 pm. at the Hilton Fireman's Exempt Club, 130 South Avenue in Hilton.
Interment will be held in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Memorial donations in memory of Bob can be made to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or Sarah’s Guest House (100 Roberts Ave Syracuse, NY 13207)
