The Very Reverend Father Robert (Bob) James Bethoney passed away peacefully at the age of 73 on June 17, 2014. He was born March 10, 1941 in Norwood, MA, where he lived for 53 years before moving to El Paso, TX in 1994. Bob was captain of his high school football team and student council president. He attended Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, MA before receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia University in New York City and later his Master’s Degree from Harvard University in Boston. Bob was an avid football player and wrestler during his college years.
He taught high school history for two years in Norwood, MA before moving on to a career in the financial world in Boston and Wall Street in New York City. Bob was “Man of the Year” at EF Hutton, where he worked for 15 years before starting his own company, Eden Financial. Eden was purchased by Paine Webber, where Bob spent the last 10 years of his business career. It was at Paine Webber where Bob became President of the Estate Planning and Insurance Services Division. After leaving Paine Webber Bob devoted his life to the church, and he was ordained an Antiochian Orthodox Priest in 1998. Bob served the parish of St. George Orthodox Church in El Paso until his death. Even though he left Wall Street, he was never forgotten for all his work there.
Bob was a man of many interests and hobbies. He loved reading, writing, sailing, fishing, traveling, food, history, all New England sports, his church, his friends and most of all his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samera and James Bethoney. Bob is survived by his adoring wife of 31 years, Elizabeth Mahfood Bethoney, daughter Alexis Bethoney Gerena (German), granddaughter Giselle Mia, and a large extended family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with Trisagion Service at 7:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 120 N. Festival Dr., officiated by Very Rev. Fr. Jehad Michael and Rev. Fr. George Al-Dehneh. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery, 4900 McNutt Rd., Santa Teresa, NM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 120 N. Festival Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com.
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