Robert O. Witty

Dryden – The family of Robert O. Witty is saddened to announce his death on Friday, May 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA. We lost one of the worlds most kind and gentle souls. Bob, the son of Ralph and Thelma (Maxfield) Witty, was born on November 21, 1948 and raised in Marathon NY.

He graduated from Marathon High School and then graduated from Broome Community College. Bob began his career with CFCU in 1969 as an assistant manager, working his way up to head of the financial institution just 15 years later in 1984. When he joined CFCU it had one office, six employees and approximately 2,000 members and 3 million in assets. Under his leadership the credit union grew rapidly; at his retirement in 2010 the credit union had nine locations, over 60,000 members and $600 million in assets. Bob earned his Certified Credit Union Executive designation and made a significant impact on credit unions at the state, local and national levels. In June of 2010 Bob was inducted into the New York Credit Union Hall of Fame. Bob also served on several boards and community councils.

Bob was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and brother. Family always came first for Bob. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He supported them in their passions and encouraged them to do their best. Second to his family was his love and passion for the outdoors, golfing, hunting and fishing. Bob was a huge sports fan he loved the Yankees for better or worse, in his younger years Bob was well know in the area as a great fastpitch catcher. After retirement Bob started a small hobby farm to feed the deer and wild turkey.

In 2016, Bob was diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) and fought a long hard battle and while he came very close to death, he received a lifesaving lung transplant in October of 2017. Bob fought long and hard to get himself back into shape and was doing very well. However, unrelated to the transplant last week Bob suffered 2 massive strokes, a battle he was not able to overcome. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to the wonderful team of doctors and nurses at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy (Stevens) Witty of Dryden; a daughter Kate (Sean) Howells of Dryden; granddaughters Madison and Shelby Howells of Dryden; sisters, Rula (Carl) Summers of Killawog, Rita (Raymond) Harris of Dryden, Lynda (Philip) Davern of Marathon, Charles (Debbie) Witty of Miami FL.; brother-in- Law, Robert (Gwen) Stevens of Marathon and several nieces and nephews. Bob is also survived by special friends near and dear to his heart, Doug and Kathy Matson of Marathon, Leroy “Gunner” & Linda Marsh of Virgil and Dick and Mike Clark of Dryden.

He was predeceased by his parents.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 Pm, Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, NY. His funeral will be at 3 PM, Friday, May 18 at the funeral home. Burial will be private in Marathon Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Bob’s name to The Gift of Life Family House, 401 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. The Gift House is the family’s charity of choice for their overwhelming support of our family during the transplant process, providing rooms, meals, transportation. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com