Robert J. Cilley
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: December 11, 1915
Date of Death: March 7, 2013
Birth Place: Island Pond, VT
Death Place: Burlington, VT
ROBERT J. CILLEY JR.
ROBERT J. CILLEY JR. – COLCHESTER – Robert James Cilley Jr., 97, passed away peacefully with his children by his side in St. Josephs Residential Care Home in Burlington on Thursday, March 7, 2013. He was born in Island Pond on Dec. 11, 1915, son of the late Robert J. and Eva (Melcher) Cilley Sr. Bob proudly served his country during both W.W.II and the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1 in St. Albans, as well as the VFW Post 6689 in Essex Jct. Bob started his railroad career in Island Pond with the Grand Trunk Railroad and then was employed for many years in St. Albans with Central Vermont Railroad, until his retirement. He loved relaxing at his camp in Island Pond and always looked forward to being in the woods, as he was an avid snowmobile rider and whitetail deer hunter. Bob was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his son, Thomas Cilley and wife, Sandra, of Essex Jct.; daughter, Suzan Pons and husband, Rene’, of France; four grandchildren, Matthew and wife, Haley Cilley, of S.C., Rene’ Pons and wife, Laetitia, of France, Julien Pons and Yolaine of France, and Karen Martella and husband, Drew, of N.Y.; six great-grandchildren, Braeden and Leighton Martella of N.Y., Noah and Lucien Pons of France, Kennedy and Kendall Cilley of S.C.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his wife, Gertrude Cilley on Jan. 13, 2009; son, Robert Cilley III in 1977; and siblings, Rodney “Buddy” Cilley, Doris Sullivan, and Eleanor “June” Quinn. The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the staff of St. Josephs Residential Care Home for the loving care and special attention they gave Dad during his stay. Visiting hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2013, at A.W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel, 57 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on March 11, 2013, at Holy Family Church, Essex Jct., with the Reverend Charles Ranges, S.S.E. officiating. Burial will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family, with the time and date to be announced. Memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to St. Josephs Residential Care Home, 243 North Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401. A.W. Rich Funeral Home.
Published in The Burlington Free Press on March 9, 2013
