Robert C Liander

Robert C. Liander, 67, a retired Army major and insurance broker, passed away on March 22, 2016. He was born in Bronx, N.Y., and grew up in Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan. Robert was a graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School, and then received a B.S. in psychology from St. John's University, where he met Sharon, his wife of over 46 years, and settled in Dongan Hills. He also received a master's in education from the former Richmond College, and then earned his M.B.A. from Wagner College. After college, Robert served in the National Guard before transferring and retiring as a major in the U.S. Army Reserve after 21 years of service. Maj. Robert C. Liander was rated by the VA as a 100 percent service related disabled veteran known for riding all over Staten Island and the world in his scooter. Robert worked as a commercial insurance broker for Fred S. James, Alexander & Alexander, AON Corporation before retiring from Willis Corporation in 2015. His career spanned 35 years and managed insurance portfolios for large corporations. Although his career was a passion, he loved to travel around the world (even with his scooter) gaining friends along the way. His favorite places to visit were Cancun and Hawaii, Aruba with his best college friends, and any European adventure he could plan for his family to travel. Robert loved spending time with his family, and most especially with his granddaughter, Viola. He will be remembered as a person who always tried his best to help other people in anyway he could with his knowledge and resources. He had a great sense of humor, was a sucker for corny jokes, and always had a love for one liners. The tradition has been passed on to his children. Robert was known as "Robbie" to his family, "Rob" to his friends and "Bob" to his professional colleagues. He was not known for his singing voice, however, it never stopped him from trying to hit the high notes in any Beach Boys song. "He was the strongest person I've ever known, and an inspiration to everyone who knew him," says his daughter, Cara Gordon, "he would fall and pick himself right up again." He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his sons, Robert and Colin; his daughter, Cara, and his granddaughter, Viola. He also survived by his daughter-in-law, Maria Rusolo; son-in-law, John Gordon; his brothers, Peter and James Liander, as well as many nieces and nephews. The viewing will be at Casey Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral memorial service will be Friday, March 25, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel. The burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery following the service