Robert F. Kean
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Robert (Bob) Francis Kean passed away on Saturday, July 17th 2012 at Rome Hospital after a brief illness. Bob was born Feb 1, 1929 in Albany, NY to Francis (Frank) Joseph Kean of Manchester, NH and Idabelle Kean (nee Powers) of Boonville, NY.
After traveling with his parents to over 22 States in his first few years of life Bob's parents settled in Rome. Bob went to Rome schools and played hockey for RFA.
Bob joined the Navy after high school. Bob's service in naval aviation was an interesting one that included; having to parachute twice out of disabled aircraft, participating in the Korean War as a radar bombardier in AD Skyraiders from the carrier USS Princeton from which he received a Purple Heart, and touring the Mediterranean on a good will tour aboard the carrier USS Tarawa during which he had the opportunity to play a hockey game against a Soviet team. When asked about the result Bob would say; "Well, we weren't really ready for hockey after being onboard ship for months, but we gave them a game that would leave them hurting for days afterwards!".
Bob returned to Rome after the Navy and soon met the love of his life, Anne DeRuby Kean. Bob and Anne were married on Aug 28th, 1954. After nearly 60 years of marriage Anne passed away in April of 2013.
Soon after marrying, Bob began a career at Canterbury Press as an offset camera operator and ended up running the camera department for many years until his retirement in 1990.
Bob and Anne built a house in New Delta Terrace in 1958 and lived happily in that home for the rest of their lives. Numerous friends and family members have many fond memories of the fine food and hospitality served out by Bob and Anne at the many parties they hosted in that home over the years.
Surviving Bob and Anne is their daughter and son-in-law Colleen and Chris Horton of Stoughton, WI, son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Regina Kean of Rome, NY, and 5 grandchildren, Erin, Megan, Ryan, Robert, and Jennifer.
Bob was actively engaged in coaching youth sports and was particularly active with Rome Youth Hockey.
After retirement when Bob's grandchildren came along and began playing sports Bob never missed a game, often shuttling back and forth between games when two or more grandkids had a game at the same time.
Bob was a long-time member of the Lake Delta Yacht Club, Rome K of C, VFW, & DAV, and the Lee Legion.
Friends and relative may call on Wednesday, July 21, from 4-7pm at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St. Rome. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., followed by internment at Evergreen Cemetery in Lee.
For those who wish, donations may be made to the Rome Youth Hockey Association, PO Box 861 Rome, NY 13442, in lieu of flowers.
You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy, and read the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com.