Robert J. Wilkins

Robert J. Wilkins, 69 of Rt. 28 Shokan died Monday November 1, 2010 at the Kingston Hospital. A lifetime area resident, he was a graduate of Onteora High School Class of '59, and a varsity cross country athlete. He was the owner and operator of Robert J. Wilkins, Inc. and RJW School Bus Transit for over 45 years. He was a NYS licensed electrician for many years. He served both as an Ulster County Legislator, and as a board member of the Ulster County Highway Traffic Committee. He was a member of the Surrogate Magistrates Assn. and had been a Town Justice in Olive for four years. He was a dedicated world-class bobsled athlete and he had earned both gold and silver medals while competing in the Empire Games and the World Cup. In addition to being a bobsled driver, he was also a recruiter, and had organized 2 and 4 man teams for over ten years. One of his greatest honors was to walk, in the parade of athletes opening ceremony, with the US Team in the 1992 Winter Olympics held in Albertville, France. He was a coach of the Virgin Islands bobsled team, and for the US team for the Winter Olympics held in Calgary, Canada. Many years ago he was an ski instructor at Belleayre Mountain. He was an active participant with the 'driver search' for NASCAR, and an avid outdoorsman who appreciated the beauty of nature and its animals. He had been a member of the Family Motor Coach Assn., and founder of the Kings Highway Travelers. He was born May 27, 1941 in Richmond Hills, NY son of the late Harold and Vera McGowan Wilkins. Surviving are his wife Elizabeth Bonestell Wilkins, two sons: Ronald Dean Cousins of Shokan, and Derek Wilkins of GA, three daughters: Tina Roberto of Stone Ridge, Constance Mackus of NC, and Belinda Degnan of Monroe. A brother Peter Wilkins of AZ. 9 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday Nov. 6th at 10:30am at St. Augustine's Chapel W. Shokan. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Olive 1st Aid or the Olive Fire Dept. Friends will be received on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home 87 Main St. Phoenicia. To light a memorial candle, please visit www.gormleyfuneralhome.com