Obituary of Robert F. Hartman

Robert F. Hartman, 82, died peacefully on June 1 at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. Devoted husband of Marjorie (Messina), dear father of Brian (Jenny) Hartman and Scott (Jaci) Hartman, loving grandfather of Connor, Summer and Morgan Hartman, son of the late Frederick and Loretta (Maher) Hartman, brother of Mary (late John) Lenartowicz and the late Richard (Sandy) Hartman and late Florence (Mike) Walsh, beloved brother-in-law of Marge’s sister Angela Curtis (Tracy Carboni) and late brother Russell (Rosalie). Bob was born in Lackawanna on July 2, 1943, under the glowing sulfurous clouds of Bethlehem Steel’s blast furnaces. The US was fighting WWII and Bethlehem, the world’s largest mill, churned out steel for American warships and tanks. Fred fed coal to the coke ovens day and night while Loretta raised Bob and his siblings. Bob attended Our Lady of Victory Elementary and graduated from Father Baker Victory High School. He was drafted and served stateside in the Army. He worked at Bethlehem just long enough to learn that shoveling coal was not for him. He took a job at the Buffalo Evening News as a hopper, jumping on and off news trucks to deliver papers. He eventually worked his way up to district manager and retired from the News after 45 years. Bob loved to be around friends. He was a longtime member of the Patriots Club in Lackawanna, the Knights of Columbus Father Baker Council #2243 and of the Bay Beach Club and Bertie Boating Club, both in Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada. Bob lived all over Western New York before landing in Orchard Park. Geary & Densmore streets in South Buffalo. Angola on the Lake. North Boston. Lafayette Avenue on Buffalo’s West Side. But he was most at peace in Crystal Beach, Ontario, where he spent 45 years as a summer resident. In his earlier years, he enjoyed snowmobiling. But in retirement he loved snowbirding in Florida with Marge even more. During his entire life, he was at his happiest boating and fishing on Lake Erie and on Lake Nipissing in Ontario, Canada. Bob’s family thanks the wonderful teams at Mercy, Trinity Cardiology, ECMC Acute Rehab, Father Baker Manor - both rehab and skilled nursing - along with Dr. Lindsey Clark at UB Ortho and his primary care Dr. Janet Westenberger and staff for their loving care. To the very end, he kept his sense of humor and left everyone he met smiling. Friends and family may call Friday from 4-7PM at the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME INC. 3155 Orchard Park Rd. 716-675-9027. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at Our Lady of Victory Basilica at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the OLV Restoration Fund.