NEW BERLIN – Robert Raymond Christian, 79, of New Berlin, passed away on Sept. 7, 2011 at the New York Veterans’ Home in Oxford.
Mr. Christian was born on Oct. 7, 1931 to Lloyd Joseph & Stella Maria (Lafond) Christian in Brookfield.
Robert served in the Korean War and received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Upon returning home, he worked for 10 years at General Electric Company in Utica, in Quality Assurance before entering the government sector in the aerospace industry as a Quality Assurance Specialist. He retired in 1994.
Robert loved to hunt and snowmobile and joined several clubs over the years developing friendships and sharing his hobby with others. Family though, was of utmost importance to Robert. He was very proud of his family and always enjoyed visiting them and hosting or joining in on family gatherings. Robert had a deep passion for life and a heart of gold. This was contagious to all he met in his life and will be remembered by his family and friends.
Mr. Christian is survived by his wife Hilda, his five children; Kim Jordan and her husband Brent of Boxborough, Mass., Steven Christian and his wife Sheri of North Norwich, Jeffrey Christian of Belleville, Kathy Izard of Norwich and Joseph Christian and his wife Vicky of Grottoes, Va. plus 14 grandchildren and one great grandson. Robert is also survived by a brother, Timothy Christian and his wife Veronica as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Dakin Funeral Home, LP of New Berlin, with Father Alfred Bebel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or the American Legion Post 0348, PO Box 488, New Berlin, NY 13411.