John R. Robbins 1925-2008
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John was born July 1, 1925, in Hamden, the son of Homer ‘‘Ben’’ and Ruth McMillen Robbins.
After graduating from Hamden High School, he served as a boatswain in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was honorably discharged with decorations and citations, including Bronze Stars for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, the European-African Campaign, for the victory in the Philippine Liberation, and also received the Good Conduct Medal. John was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy Armed Guard.
After returning from the war, he moved to Cortland and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he eventually became district manager of Mosquito, Meander, Berlin, M.J. Kirwan, Lake Milton and Shenango reservoirs in the Pittsburgh district.
He was also the first service director for the City of Cortland.
John was a member of the Cortland Lions Club, American Legion Post 540, Cortland Masonic Lodge and the Cortland Moose.
He was an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders and The Ohio State Buckeyes football team.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Copeland Robbins, whom he married July 8, 1983; a son, Ronald (Nancy) of Delaware; a daughter, Michelle (Billy) Snook of Wapakoneta; a daughter-in-law, Darlene Robbins of Mount Jewett, Pa.; four grandchildren, Aaron of Columbus, Collette of Delaware, and Tonya and John of New Bethlehem, Pa.; two stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Dale.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at the Crown Hill Chapel, 3966 Warren Sharon Road, Vienna. Friends may call between 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Chapel and one hour before the service on Wednesday. A Lions Memorial service will be 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Burial Park.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Selby-Simpson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cortland Lions Club, 197 W. Main St., Cortland 44410, or Pilot Dogs Inc., 625 W. Town St., Columbus 43215.
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