Obituary of Robin M. Rookey

GOUVERNEUR – Robin M. Rookey, age 59, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with his funeral service following at 4:00 p.m. with Pastor Vernon Bissonette officiating. Burial will be in the East Riverside Cemetery. Robin was born on May 8, 1956 in Gouverneur to the late Herbert and Faith (Foeppel) Rookey. He attended elementary school in Brasie Corners and graduated from the Gouverneur Central School in 1974. Robin worked in the mill at St. Joe Minerals Corp out of high school, worked for the New York Air Brake for 22 years, and in the calibration department at Corning Inc.'s Canton plant. Later in life he went back to school, to study Radiological Technology at the North Country Community College. Robin was married to Carol Kelley for 19 years. He was a social person who loved to talk, had a good sense of humor, and could make friends anywhere. He loved being outdoors; hiking, hunting and fishing. Robin was a caregiver for his mother when she was ill and he had a very kind heart. He enjoyed tinkering on cars, such as his first vehicle, a 1968 red Camaro, that he took pride in. Robin rode motorcycles and loved spending time with his family, especially to eat "vittles". His survivors include three daughters and their spouses, Amanda Rookey and Mark Hausner, Rebecca and Tom Bissonette, April and Nick Ovitt; his sister, Pamela and Dale Freeman; and his brother, Michael and Elke Rookey. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Hunter and Chloe Ovitt and William Hausner; and several nieces and nephews. Donations in memory of Robin may be made to the Robin Rookey Memorial Award at North Country Community College Radiologic Technology Program, c/o Foundation Director, PO Box 89, Saranac Lake NY 12983.