Robert J. Daley

ROBERT J. DALEY, February 6, 2022, at the age of 73 suddenly passed peacefully in the comforting arms of his family in Cleveland, OH. Survivors include his wife Sandra (nee Wesolek), son Patrick (Jessica), daughter Colleen (Nick) Elliott, grandchildren Rian, Morgan, & Aidan Daley and Vera & Rose Elliott, and his pet Rottie Maxine.

Bob was born in Buffalo, NY, on April 17, 1948. He grew up in West Seneca, lettered in Varsity Track, and graduated in 1966 from West Seneca Central with a New York State Regents Scholarship. Under his picture in his senior yearbook it reads, “He built better than he knew” which describes his humble nature. Bob and Sandra met in grade school and were high school sweethearts. He married Sandra on November 25, 1969. They were together for more than 52 years and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Aruba.

Bob proudly graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University at Buffalo in 1970 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. During college he worked at General Mills in the drafting department. After graduation he then started his career with Bethlehem Steel in the Structural Division at Leetsdale, PA, and retired from the Lackawanna, NY, 13-inch Bar Mill in 1994 after 25 years. He then moved from Orchard Park, NY, to Cleveland, OH, to further his career in the steel industry and his work took him to Germany, Spain, Ireland, and Trinidad. He also worked for SES Technical followed by Acuren Inspection performing nondestructive testing for the Aerospace Divisions of NASA and Lockheed Martin. Bob formally retired in 2017. Bob knew how to do everything from building bridges, making steel, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, woodworking, to fixing cars. He never had to hire someone to fix anything. He was a problem solver, team player, conversationalist, and instilled confidence in others.

Bob loved boating and navigating Lake Erie, the Niagara River, the Welland and Erie Canals, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Trent-Severn Waterway, and visiting many ports-of-call in Canada. As the captain of his 26-foot Sea Ray, he was very competent and made you feel safe on the water. He was an expert at operating and trailering the boat. Bob joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1993 in Buffalo and was a dedicated member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary District 09ER, Division 07, Flotilla 05 in Cleveland. He had numerous achievements over his 29 years of service, including being named Division Vice Commander, Flotilla Commander, Navigation Course Instructor, and Vessel Examiner. He was also Auxiliary Operations (AUXOP) qualified and received multiple service performance awards and Auxiliary Commandant Letter of Commendation. Bob earned his Auxiliary Culinary Assistant (AUCXA) qualifications and enjoyed cooking for the Coasties at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor. His fellow auxiliary crew best remembers him for his coxswain skills and willingness to teach others boat handling techniques.

Bob was an avid skier, even in blizzard-like conditions and sub-zero wind chill. If the lift was running, he was out there. He taught his children how to ski on a rope by the age of 3 at Kissing Bridge. He also enjoyed golf. Bob had season tickets to the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bisons for years. He continued to be a faithful Sabres fan and attended games in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. He was well versed in sports and always had positive feedback for his children and grandchildren to sharpen their skills. Bob traveled with Sandra extensively in New England, and to Nova Scotia/Canada, Hawaii, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Spain. His most memorable trip was to Panama in 2018 where he traversed the Panama Canal. MSNBC was his favorite TV channel and he was always up to date on current events and politics. In his later years he developed medical problems which limited his activities. He was still able to make trips back to Buffalo and would always stop at his favorite places - Erie Basin Marina, Hoak’s for fish fry, Pasquale’s for pepperoni pizza, City Line for hot dogs “two up extra mustard”, and Schwabl’s for beef on weck and draft birch beers. He also made trips to visit his children in Pittsburgh, PA, and play with the grandchildren.

Bob built a legacy of love, trust, and knowledge. He will be remembered as a good and kind man. He was the BEST!

Family and friends may visit at the HOY FUNERAL HOME, 3855 West Seneca St., West Seneca, NY on Saturday February 19, 2022 from 1-3 PM. Eulogies will be presented at 3 PM. Interment by burial at sea will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance: https://www.cgmahq.org/