Robert J. Pryor

Herkimer Robert J. Pryor, age 88, of Westwood Drive, passed away on Thursday morning, September 17, 2009, in Heritage Health Care Center, Utica. He had the comfort of his loving daughter at his side. He was born on August 14, 1921, in Herkimer, son of the late John Bergen and Helen Hartnett Pryor. A lifelong Herkimer resident, he grew up on Henry Street in the shadows of St. Francis deSales Church, where he was first educated and was a graduate of Herkimer High School. He furthered his education, graduating from Manhattan College. A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in the US Army in 1942 and served with the 4th Infantry Division. He participated in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and was the recipient of the Purple Heart Award. He also received the American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with the Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct and World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on December 27, 1945. After his military service, he went back to college at Cornell University and Utica College. On November 30, 1946, he was united in marriage with the former Aileen Rycharski in St. Josephs Church, Herkimer. They shared a loving union of eighteen years until her passing on November 28, 1964. He later married Jeanne McGovern in July of 1967. She preceded him in death in 1982. For thirty-two years, Mr. Pryor worked for the Utica Observer-Dispatch where he was a reporter and Regional Manager of the Herkimer office. He retired in October of 1981. He later worked as a Bailiff for the Herkimer County Court and retired from that position in 2005. Bob had a strong belief in God and was a member of St Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. He had a strong sense of community and was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of Herkimer Lodge Elks #1439 B.P.O.E., where he was active with the annual New York State Softball Tournament. He was a member of American Legion Post #38, Herkimer, and VFW Post #1459, Herkimer, where he was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award. He was one of the founders of the Cavalcade of Music, was a member of the Herkimer Sesquicentennial committee, an active member of the Democratic Party, East Herkimer Fish and Game Club, the Polish Club, a fifty year member of the Fort Dayton Hook and Ladder, the Herkimer Rotary Club and annually served as an usher at the Fort Herkimer Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service. In his leisure time, he enjoyed sports; he was a golfer and bowler as well as an avid New York Giants and Boston Red Sox fan. Mr. Pryor will always be remembered as a humble, intelligent and charitable gentleman. He exemplified the virtues of integrity and devotion to duty in the discharge of his responsibilities as a newspaperman. For thirty-two years, Herkimer County readers saw their local government and events through his eyes. He was a leader in his community and accrued the respect of those he associated with in his many charitable endeavors. He was a friend to many and will be greatly missed. Surviving him are his daughter, Kathleen and her husband, J. Michael Nasypany, of Herkimer; one son, Gary Ayers and his wife, Beth, of Houston, TX; a sister, Anne Pryor Jayne, of Ithaca; eight grandchildren, Aileen, Caitlin, Jerome and Matthew Nasypany, Jessica, Ryan, Ben and Lauren Ayers; several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Joel McGovern; and his lifelong close friend, Phil ODonnell. Besides his parents and wives, Aileen and Jeanne, he was predeceased by two brothers, William Pryor and John E. Ted Pryor, and a daughter, Jeryl Lou Ayers. Funeral from Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer, on Monday at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in Saint Francis deSales Church, Herkimer, at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor, will officiate. Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Members of Herkimer Lodge #1439 B.P.O.E. are asked to meet at the funeral home on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for ritualistic services. Members of Herkimer American Legion Post #38 are asked to meet at the funeral at 2:30 p.m. for their services. Members of Michael S. Pliseck VFW Post #1459 are asked to meet at the funeral home at 3:30 p.m. for their service.