Robert Ackley

Robert D. Ackley, 83, of South New Berlin, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 27, 2020. He was born December 30, 1936, in the town of Franklin, to the late Lynn and Mary Ackley.

After graduating with the class of 1955 from Franklin Central, he worked construction on the Cannonsville Reservoir and later for the Treadwell Lumber Co. Robert married his high school sweetheart, Claudine Butts, on October 6, 1956, at the Methodist Church in Franklin.

In 1965, Bob & Claudine purchased a dairy farm in Schenevus and then in 1971, they moved to South New Berlin on a larger farm. Bob was active in several farm organizations as well as serving many years on the Butternuts Town Board.

He was a mentor and a role model to the many young people the were employed on the Ack-Acres farm throughout the years. When the farm was sold in 2001, Bob was proud that his herd was one of the top producing herds in NYS. Retirement years found him happily operating heavy equipment, working in the woods and he finally had time to enjoy western movies, especially John Wayne. Through the years, Bob and Claudine enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, eating out, and his annual fishing trips.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Claudine, his sons Douglas and his wife Joddy and James and his wife Sharon, all of South New Berlin; his grandchildren Annette and David Patt of Fairport, NY, Jennifer and Brian Shaffer of Farmington, NY, Megan and Erik Scrivener of Norwich, Nicole and Justin Smith of New Berlin, Rachel Ackley of Oyster Bay, NY, Cory and Kara Ackley of South New Berlin, and Crystal and Christian Capello-Colon of Stamford, CT, 13 great-grandchildren and 4 step-grandsons. He is also survived by his brother Roger and his wife Frances Ackley of Franklin, his brother-in-law Gerald and his wife Phyllis Butts of Davenport, NY and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

A celebration of life will be planned and announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the White Store Church & Cemetery Association, 644 White Store Rd, South New Berlin, NY, or to the South New Berlin Fire Department at 3327 State Highway 8, Box 1P South New Berlin, NY, 13843.