Obituary of Robert "Bob" M. Sheedy

LOUDONVILLE - Robert M. "Bob" Sheedy, 76, of Loudonville, NY passed away on October 30th at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving children.

Bob was born in Poughkeepsie, NY to the late Robert J. and Bernetta A. (Stahl) Sheedy in June 1947. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie and went on to earn a degree in Animal Husbandry from SUNY Delhi in 1967. After college, Bob served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970 as a machinist and was, at one point, stationed in Germany. He achieved the rank of Specialist 5 (equivalent to the rank of Sergeant today). Upon being honorably discharge from the military, he headed to Alaska to join a commercial fishing boat fishing for king crab, snow crab, then returned seasonally to fish for assorted offerings from the Bering Sea. In the off seasons he found himself in Albany, where he met his future wife and mother of his children, Bonnie J. McDermott. After settling down, Bob worked for 20+ years at Al Tech Specialty Steel Corp. in Watervliet, NY producing materials for both the aerospace and nuclear industries. Upon Al Tech's closure he moved on to work as an engineer at the NY State Department of Transportation for the remainder of his career.

Bob was known for his very long walks and could be found outside walking in almost all types of weather. He enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors including, walking to the town library (2 miles one way), maintaining an oversized vegetable garden, hiking, camping, sitting/fishing at the beach, golfing, beekeeping, leisurely hunting, fishing, forestry, trapping, canoeing, and just sitting outside enjoying the sun and fresh air. From his long list of outdoor activities, it is no surprise that he has said 'Nature is great' more than once. Bob was involved with the Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association, the New York State Forest Owners Association, and the New York State Trappers Association. He was always happy to volunteer his time to represent any of those organizations at local county fairs or in any capacity.

Bob was also a devout Catholic, believing in the benevolent Beatitudes of the church and volunteered his time as an usher, counting collections, working the grill at parish picnics, and whenever else asked to help. The family would like to express their many thanks to the St. Pius X community.

Bob is survived by his three children, Robert J. Sheedy of Loudonville, NY, Erin M. Sheedy of Loudonville, NY, and Christina B. Sheedy of Germantown, MD; his four sisters Katherine (Fred) Weiss of The Villages, FL, Jeannie Armagost of Oak Island, NC, Rosemary (Dave) Wagner of Glen Mills, PA, and Maurya (Paul) Baczek of Houston, TX; a sister-in-law Kathleen Klee of Falconer, NY; and a brother-in-law Dennis (Georgene) McDermott of Matamoras, PA. He is also survived by ten nieces, two nephews and many grand-nieces and nephews. Bob is predeceased by his wife of 36 years Bonnie J. Sheedy along with his parents Robert J. and Bernetta A. Sheedy; as well as his brother Dennis Sheedy.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 4, 2023, 10:00 AM at St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Rd., Loudonville with Rev. Russ Bergman, celebrant. Rendering of military honors will take place immediately following the mass directly outside of the church.

For further information or to leave a condolence message for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.