Obituary of Robert-C. Dempsey

-><!-- DisplayFullObituaryText -->Dempsey, Robert C.Robert C. Dempsey, 82, of Groton, passed away September 5, 2013 at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse after a brief illness. Bob was born August 2, 1931 in Ithaca, the son of the late Charles E. and Mary Evelyn (Mason) Dempsey. A lifelong Groton resident, Bob graduated from Groton High School in 1949 and from Rider College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54 during the Korean War. Bob enjoyed a 65-year affiliation with the First National Bank of Groton, where he worked in every career capacity. He retired as president in 1973 after the completion of the current banking house on Main St. and had served as a member of the Board of Directors until his passing. In 1968, Bob and Jean established the Robert C. Dempsey Insurance Agency in Groton, and he remained actively engaged in the operation of the business with his son, Chris, until 2000. Bob devoted a lifetime to the Groton community, serving and leading in many community efforts. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Groton Housing Authority and Senior Citizens Apartments, the Groton Community Health Care Center, Groton Residential Care Facility, and Stonehedges Golf Course, and had served on their Board of Directors. Bob was a retired member of the C.W. Conger Hose Company of the Groton Fire Department and was a Department Warden. He served as a Village Trustee for eight years. As Sanitation Commissioner, he helped guide the development of the wastewater treatment systems. Bob was Village Mayor from 1967-69 and served with the Boards of Water and Light Commissioners. He was a past Trustee with Cortland Memorial Hospital and a member of the Carrington Fuller Post 800 American Legion. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, M. Jean (Randall) Dempsey; and by his children: Susan (Doug) Caveney of Lansing, Christopher (Diane) Dempsey of Groton, Nanette (Jeffry) Stell of Rochester, and Colleen (Joseph) Cunningham of Fort Mill, SC. In addition, Bob is survived by his 10 grandchildren: Arin and Ben Caveney, Kevin (Erin) Senter, Mitchell and Molly Dempsey, Lauren and Sydney Stell, and Jacob, Alec and Grace Cunningham; his brother, John Mason (Helen) Dempsey of Buffalo; a sister, Jean True of Holden, MA; a brother-in-law, Vic Senecal of Sacramento, CA; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his sisters, Betty Senecal and Monica Armentano. Bob lived each day devoted to his loving wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed taking care of his home and garden and spoiling his wife. He and Jean enjoyed attending Church of the Redeemer and Peruville New Testament Church. His family misses him, but looks forward to the day they will reunite in Heaven. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Redeemer, 125 Tompkins St., Cortland. Friends may call at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Ave., Groton, on Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Contributions in lieu of flowers are graciously directed to the Groton Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 96, Groton, or to the Groton Food Pantry, 701 S. Main St., Groton, NY 13073.