Robert L. "Bob" Florance

Robert L. 'Bob' Florance Thurman, NYRobert L. Bob Florance, 80, of Bowen Hill Road, Thurman, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012. Born in Cornwall, NY on Sept. 10, 1931, he was the son of the late Fred S. and Edythe (Phin) Florance. Bob attended Monroe, NY schools, Wooster School in Danbury, CT, and Orange County Community College in Middletown, NY. On Feb. 7, 1953, Bob married Margaret Peggy Gleim at St. John's Lutheran Church, Bloomfield, NJ. Bob enlisted in the United States Army in 1951, serving three years, until his honorable discharge in 1954. He was in combat with the 300th Armored Field Artillery in Korea, 1952. He proudly finished his tour of duty with the Third Infantry Regiment, Old Guard, U.S. Presidential Honor Guard, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, obtaining the rank of sergeant. Bob was also a member of the Warrensburg American Legion Post No. 446, Warrensburg VFW Haskell Brothers Post No. 4821 and Adirondack Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association No. 60. Bob was assistant vice president at the Highland Telephone Co. in Monroe, NY, a communications consultant with NJ Bell Telephone Co., retiring from the Warren County Sheriff's Department as a deputy. Bob was a charter member and past president of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Monroe, NY, a member of Good Sheperd Lutheran Church in Point Pleasant, NJ, and most recently, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Saratoga Springs, where he served as a Stephen Minister and a Eucharistic Minister to shut-ins of the church. Bob was a volunteer for many organizations, including Monroe and Woodbury Ambulance Squads for 15 years, past commander of Warrensburg American Legion Post No. 466, charter member and past commander Adirondack Korean War Veterans Chapter 60, Glens Falls and past president of Sugar Loaf Mt. Senior Citizens, Thurman. Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by one younger brother, David of Chiefland, FL. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Peggy Florance; three children, William D. Florance of Niskayuna, and his partner, Louisemarie Sparre, Susan Walters and her husband, Robert N. of Brick, NJ, and Robert J. Florance and his wife, Susan of Mendham, NJ; four granddaughters, Mandy Scott and her husband, Doug of Port Orchard, WA, Sarah Florance of Ballston Spa and Heather Walters of Brick, NJ, Laura and her husband, Josh Stephenson of North East, MD; one great-grandson, Bryan Scott, also many nieces and nephews. Friends may call upon the family Monday, March 5 at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Ave., in Saratoga Springs. A funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, at the church with the Rev. Adam Wiegand officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. Donations may be made in loving memory of Bob to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804 or emailed through www.bakerfuneral home.com