Obituaries

NORTH LANSING - Robert Thomas Tyrrell, age 79, of 180 Sharpsteen Road, Locke, NY, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at home following a lengthy illness.

Bob was born on the family farm on Indian Field Road in Genoa, NY January 30, 1930. He was the seventh of eleven children born to the late Philip and Margaret Murray Tyrrell. He attended Genoa Central School and on ValentineÕs Day, 1948 he married the former Irene Eva Sharpsteen. They began their married life on Indian Field Road working on the farm. In 1954, they moved to their present home where Bob continued to farm along with the parents he gained through marriage, Edgar and Elsie Sharpsteen; while at the same time working for the Town of Lansing Highway Dept. In 1958 he was one of the founders, charter member and first President of the North Lansing Fire Company.

 

In 1969, after the town failed to elect him Highway Superintendent, he was appointed Highway Superintendent for the Village of Cayuga Heights; a position he held until his retirement in 1995. He continued farming after retirement both at home and the neighboring Elkendale Farm. He was a life member of Dads of Foreign Service Veterans Post 7127 of Moravia.

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Irene E. Tyrrell at home; daughter and son in law, Connie M. and Edward Wilcox of Lansing, NY; son and daughter in law, Robert E.C. "Chris" and Eileen Tyrrell of Locke, NY; son and life partner, Gary J. Tyrrell and Edward R. Wagner of Lansing, NY; grandchildren, Scott R. Purcell and Charlie C. "Cricket" (Marcie Kopko) Purcell of Lansing, NY, Patrick J. (Liz) Tyrrell and Mark A. (Krista Bowman) Tyrrell of King Ferry, NY; great grandsons, Daniel Purcell, Peyton Tyrrell and Alex Ward; sisters, Margaret (Jack) Flynn of Scipio Center, NY, Joan Kenyon of Genoa, NY, Anne (Coral) Hartnett of Moravia, NY, and Fran (Lewie) Sovocool of Groton, NY; brother, Donald (Jackie) Tyrrell of Genoa, NY; aunt, Genevieve Mahaney of King Ferry, NY; mother in law, Elsie L. Sharpsteen and sister in law, L. Jean Sharpsteen of East Genoa, NY; brother in law, Joseph Noga of Auburn, NY; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition, those mourning the loss are close life long friends, Jack and Ardith Coulson of Locke, NY and Ronnie and Helen Smith of Genoa, NY; special cousin, Jean (William) Stanton of Locke, NY and extended family, Kenton "Butch" and Barb Patchen, Don and Marcia Slocum, Allison Smith Short and a large caring community. Bob was predeceased by his brother, Philip (Jean) Tyrrell and sisters, Mary (DeForest) Fox, Lucille (William)Cook, Ellen Noga, Jane (John) Mather, brother in law, Ronald Kenyon and father in law, Edgar Sharpsteen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM Monday, July 20, 2009 at St. AnthonyÕs Church, Groton, NY with Rev. Scott Kubinski officiating. The family will be present to receive guests on Sunday from 2 to 6 PM Sunday at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main St., Dryden, NY. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to North Lansing Auxiliary, c/o Irene Tyrrell, 180 Sharpsteen Rd., Locke, NY 13092 or Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.