Robert Patrick Elkins, 78 of Pembroke, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. He had been ill for a few months.
Born in Buffalo, NY, July 24, 1946, Robert was the son of the late Garland and Madeline Elkins. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy, serving on the USS Forrestal from 1963 to 1968.
After coming home from the Navy, he met his wife Mary Kent and they were married on June 6, 1970. After marriage, he drove a taxicab in Buffalo for a while until starting R&R Painting, which he owned and operated from 1973 to 1985. From there, Robert worked for Orleans County Municipal from 1985 to 1990. In 1990 Robert went to Albany, NY to start his career in the New York State Department of Corrections where he served from 1990 to 2008.
After retirement, he enjoyed serving the Lord through which he received the Certificate of Ministry in 2003 and received the license to preach in 2006; both achieved through the General Council of the Association of the Assemblies of God.
Through his retirement, Robert enjoyed fishing with his family, traveling with his wife and eventually he joined the American Legion. Robert received the Hiram G. Luhman American Legion Post #626 Legionnaire of the Year Award in 2016 and 2021. While serving in the American Legion as the Reverend of the Legion, he devoted much of his time with the Western New York National Cemetery, where he officiated funeral services for fallen soldiers and veterans alike. In August 2021 he received a certificate of appreciation for his generous work and dedication of Volunteering for the National Cemetery by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert also loved riding his motorcycle with the Patriot Guard where he attended many funeral processions for veterans.
Robert is survived by his wife Mary of 54 years, his son Shawn Elkins of Batavia and his son Jeremiah and wife Kristen Elkins of Pembroke and his granddaughter Izabella Elkins of Pembroke.
Calling hours for Robert will be Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., 4 East Main Street, Corfu. Funeral services will be held from the mortuary on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in the Western New York National Cemetery.
