Obituary of Elmer Willis Roby

Elmer Willis Roby, 78, courageously fought his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Monday, September 8, 2014 at the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, NY. He is the son of Gerald Roby, Sr. and Blanche Chadwick Roby raised in Sutton, NH, then settled in Monticello, NY with his wife Mary "Jean" Roby who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his siblings Robert Roby, Gerald Roby, and Dorothy Gagnon. Elmer was offered the position of Greenskeeper by the Kutsher Family after engineering and excavating the golf course there in the mid 1950's. His relationship grew with the Kutsher family as the hotel expanded. In 1962 he moved on to the Kutsher premises permanently where he and Jean continued to raise their three children. He had many successful business ventures including the ski shop concessions at the Laurel's and Kutsher's, as well as the Village Tavern in Hurleyville. Elmer has been a long-time member of the Mahogany Ridge Hunting Camp, his home-away-from home, and a member of the Monticello Elks. He is survived by his sister Donna Rapose of East Grandby, CT; his son Kevin Roby of Liberty; two daughters: Bonnie DeGraw and her husband Fred of Harris, and Brenda Cohn and her husband Mike of Harris; three grandchildren: Jennifer Bankich and her husband John, Ricky DeGraw and his wife Tassia Enright, and Samantha Cohn; and a great granddaughter Tamsin DeGraw. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, September 12 from 2-4pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello. His funeral service will then be held at 4:00pm at the funeral home with Rev. David Coon officiating. Interment of his ashes will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Monticello. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or a charity of ones choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com