Robert J. Bays

ROBERT J. BAYS, age 81, of 2208 NYS Rt. 215, Cortland, NY passed away Nov. 22, 2004 at the Cortland Memorial Hospital with his loving family at his side. He was born on March 6, 1923 in Virgil, NY a son of Rupert and Katherine Peck Bays. Mr. Bays was graduated from Virgil Central School and attended the Delhi Agricultural and Technical Institute in Delhi, NY. In the following years he worked with his father and brothers on the family farm in Virgil. From 1951 to 1966 he owned and operated his own farm on Rt. 215 in Virgil. He was a 63 year member and two term Chief of the Virgil Fire Dept. and a member of the Cortland County Firemen’s Association as well as a past member and 13204.

Director of the Central NY Firemen’s Association. Bob also served for ten years on the Executive Committee of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and was also a member of the State Fire Police Committee. Bob was a 53 year member of Dryden Lodge #472 F.&A.M. Mr. Bays was a past Supervisor of the Town of Virgil, a member of the Cortland County Board of Supervisors and past Chairman of the Cortland County Legislature. He was employed by Calco Real Estate and Dryden Implement Co. and was the Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Virgil until retiring in 2001.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Becker Bays whom he married in 1945; his son, Kevin J. (Beth) Bays of Willet, NY; his granddaughter, Jennifer A. Bays of Rochester; a great-granddaughter, Ciara Garcia also of Rochester; a step-granddaughter, Jennifer (Eric) Lewis of Smithville Flats, NY; a step-grandson, Justin (Carrie) Temple of Marathon; step-great-grandchildren including Allison and Allen Lewis both of Smithville Flats and Shayla Temple of Marathon. Also surviving are two brothers, Burton J. Bays of Smyrna and John M. Bays of Virgil; two sisters, Ruth Bays Gibson of Cortland and Kathaleen Bays Thoman of Deland, FL; a loving sister-in-law, Sister Mary Andre Becker of Rensselaer, NY and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 Am Saturday, November 27, 2004 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Janet Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Virgil Rural Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 4 to 8 PM Friday at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden, NY. Memorials may be made to the Virgil Fire Dept., 1195 W. State Rd., Cortland, NY 13045.