Robert W. "Bob" Durante, Sr.

Mr. Robert W. “Bob” Durante, Sr., age 86, of New Hartford, passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. Born in Utica on June 22, 1923, Robert was the son of the late Joseph and Rose (Curcio) Durante. Raised and educated locally, he completed the training and apprenticeship requirements to become a licensed electrician. Bob proudly served his country for over 4 years as a National Guardsman. Nearly 63 years ago, on August 17, 1946 at St. Anthony’s Church, he wed the former Antoinette M. “Lalla” Arcuri; the couple shared these many years in a marriage blessed with patience, understanding, love, and a clear insight of each other’s needs. As a teenager, Bob worked in the family business, Durante’s Sweet Shop. While still attending school, he had the delightful job of selling popcorn, peanuts, cracker jacks (prize in every box) and ice-cream in conjunction with the Braves Field in North Utica and also Doubleday Field, where he met the legendary Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio! But Bob’s lifetime career began to flicker when he was 16 years old and took a job with a local company, Engel’s Equipment, manufacturing electrical fluorescent fixtures. Upon the outbreak of World War II, Bob began working in the electrical maintenance department at the Savage Arms defense plant. He worked on his own in the electrical field and then with local contractors, experiences which allowed him to receive his electrical license in the city of Utica. He then became sole owner of Durante’s Electric Company and continued in that capacity until his son, Robert, Jr., was old enough to lend a hand and learn the business. As a bit of a man’s man, Bob took joy in teaching his son the electrical trade and many others were proud of the formation of his “A Team”. When he wasn’t working, he often lit up the dance floor at Trinkaus Manor and Twin Ponds after taking lessons with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling, residing in Florida during the winter with his wife and family, and hiking and camping during the summer in the Adirondacks. He also had fond memories of spending time with Phil, at the Sign Shop. He was a member of the Deerfield Lion’s Club, the Electrical Contractors Association, and the St. Rosalie Society. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Bob is survived by his wife, Antoinette; his daughter, Robbin Graziadei of Fort Meyers Beach, FL; his son, Robert W. “Bob” Durante, Jr. of Hinckley, NY; and a dear family friend, Brenda. Survivors also include his sister, Gloria J. Santillo of New Hartford; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Mary Durante, Rose and Jerry Rescigno, Salvatore L. and Kathleen E. “Kay” Arcuri, Congetta “Connie” Marine, Janet Cannistra, Raymond and Sally Arcuri, and Joan Arcuri. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-law, “Cecil” and Rose Durante, Gene Durante, Joseph V. Durante; in-law, Nini Cannistra; his infant sister, Rose Durante; and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Visitation will be held Friday (today) from 5:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bob’s Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:00 at the Our Lady of the Rosary Church.

Robert W. "Bob" Durante, Sr.

June 22, 1923 - June 3, 2010