Fishkill - Robert J. Harvatin, a resident of Fishkill, NY since 1964 passed away on April 10, 2023, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. He was 88 years old.
Robert was born in Forest City, PA on November 21, 1934, the son of Joseph and Fannie Harvatin.
Robert proudly served his country in the United States Army as part of the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment stationed along the German – USSR border.
On May 21, 1960, he married the love of his life Lillian Shamro at St Joseph's Slovenian Church, Forest City, PA.
Robert worked for and retired from IBM in East Fishkill, NY where he worked as a Reprographics Specialist. In his second career he enjoyed driving for RoyCo Auto Parts for many years.
Robert was a parishioner of St. Mary, Mother of the Church, and a longtime Volunteer Firefighter with Rombout Fire Department where he helped with the Fire Police and was Financial Secretary for 41 years. He was made an Honorary member in 1993.
As a dedicated husband, loving father, fun Grandpa, coolest guy and a man of few words who never raised his voice, he was always quick with a shuttle to school functions, sporting events and trips to music lessons, even in NYC.
Robert is survived by his loving wife Lillian, his children: Carole Harvatin and her husband Jorge Garbalosa, Donna Bakum and her husband Mark, and Robert Harvatin and his wife Judy. Grandchildren: Sarah Wetherald and her husband Ross, Holly Hanson and her husband Raymond, Lindsay Bakum and her fiancé Garrett Stoltz, Michael Bakum and his wife Mackenzie Bates and Gabrielle (Gabi) Harvatin. Great-Grandchildren: Jackson, Emmet, Claire, Adelyn, Cameron and Connor, his siblings: Elaine Matoushek, David Harvatin and Marianne Ferraro as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is pre-deceased by his parents and his brother Joseph Harvatin.
Calling hours will be Sunday April 16, 2023, from 1pm-3pm at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday April 17, 2023, at 11:30am at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill, NY. Entombment to follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Rombout Fire Department, 901 Main Street, Fishkill immediately following the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Robert's name to the Rombout Fire Department, 901 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524.
For online condolences and Robert's Book of Memories please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.