Robert J. Sweeney

Mr. Robert J. Sweeney, of Sweeney Rd., Cortland, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at the age 96.

He was born July 24, 1920 a son of the late Jeremiah and Martha McDonald Sweeney.

Bob was raised on a dairy farm and had a passion for the land and Holstein cows. After the purchase of his own farm in 1949, he had an opportunity in 1955 to purchase a neighbor farm. Thirty years later, he bought out his brother’s share of the original farm and now owned 400 acres. True happiness came from working the land and watching the crops ripen in the sun.

He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, Cortland, a member of N.Y.S. Grange, the Farm Bureau, a lifelong 4-H and FFA member. Bob was at one time student pilot and was a member of the Cortland Bowling Hall of Fame.

He loved to watch birds, tend to his garden and play cards with his family

Surviving are his eleven children, Shaun (Lynn) Sweeney; Bob (Lacy) Sweeney; Gary (Jeanette) Sweeney; Colleen Sweeney; Diane Sweeney; Mike (Melissa) Sweeney; Linda (Dan) Quinlan, Pat (Jacie) Sweeney; Margaret Sweeney; Maureen (Paul) Hess; and William Sweeney. Also surviving are thirty grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Regina M. “Jean” Sweeney on August 3, 1995.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2017 in St. Mary’s Church, Cortland, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Jospeh Zareski. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cortland.  Prayers of committal will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Cortland.

The Sweeney family will receive friends and relatives from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at the Donald L. Barber Funeral Home, 5016 US Route 11, Homer.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Sweeney’s memory may be made to St. Mary's Parochial School, 61 N. Main St. Cortland, NY 13045. 

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