In Memory of Robert M. Burney

Obituary

Robert M. Burney, 57, affectionately known as Bob, passed away on Saturday, Dec 9, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 17, 1965, a son of Carolyn (Sue) Burney and the late Eugene Burney. Bob graduated from New Hartford High School in 1984. He attended MVCC graduating in 1986, and Utica College graduating in 1988.

Following work with SUNY Cobleskill campus security, Bob entered the New York State Police on March 20, 1989 as a member of the 165th Session of the Basic School. He served with the State Police in Troop D until January of 2017.

Trooper Burney passed away from Cancer stemming from his assignment at the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Following the events of that day, Trooper Burney was assigned to New York City to aid in search and recovery efforts. Bob loved being a Trooper and was active in many extra assignments with NYSP including Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Hurricane Sandy in NYC, the New York State Fair, and numerous other details. After retirement, Bob enjoyed meeting up with the former Troopers for breakfast, lunch or just catching up.

Bob had a great love for Old Forge, a community where he enjoyed spending the summers and where he met two of his best friends, Dick Keyes and Jack Caufield. While being in Old Forge for the summers, he worked at Keyes Pancake House from 1982-1988 and the Thendara Golf Course from 2017-2021. He was a member of the Covey-Pashley American Legion Post #893 and the Old Forge Knights of Columbus. In his free time, Bob enjoyed playing golf and hockey, where he participated in many benefit games for both sports. He also looked forward to traveling to Florida to enjoy the Daytona 500, as well as spending time in New Smyrna Beach.

Bob is survived by his mother, Carolyn (Sue) Burney; brothers, Gene and William and a sister, Ellen (Robert) Dickerson; longtime companion, Denise Kraeger; nephews, Brandon, Collin, Trenton and Noah; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Eugene Burney.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. The funeral will be on Thursday at 11:00 AM at St Patrick - St Anthony Parish Church, Oneida St., Chadwicks where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Interment will be at Crown Hill Memorial Park. A celebration of Life will take place this summer in Inlet at St. Anthony’s Church with the details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Lewis County Hospice, American Cancer Society or New York State Troopers Signal 30 Fund in memory of Bob.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.