Robert H. Pelham Jr.

SCOTIA, N.Y. Robert H. Pelham Jr., 75, of Bruce Street, Scotia, died Wednesday, August 24, 2005 of natural causes after a long illness, at home with his family at his side. Born July 1, 1930 in Schenectady, N.Y., he was the son of the late Robert H. and Edith (Zea) Pelham Sr. Mr. Pelham was a lifetime area resident and a graduate of Scotia High and Wharton School University of Pennsylvania. He was employed as an administrative analyst for NYS Department of Transportation in Albany, N.Y. for 27 years. He was a 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Transportation Corps. Mr. Pelham was a member of the Scotia United Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending time at camp with his family, boating and working on jigsaw puzzles. Mr. Pelham was a master mason in 1971 joining St. George's Lodge No. 6 in Schenectady; served as master in 1976 and later as secretary and was a member of St. George's Fellowcraft Club; member of Cyprus Shrine Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. in Albany and the Cyprus Marching Band, serving as president for several years; member of the Schenectady Shrine Club; member of the Valley of Schenectady Scottish Rite Bodies, belonging to the Sigma Lodge of Perfection, council chapter and consistory and served as 32nd degree director for several years; life member of St. Andrew's Chapter Order of DeMolay, serving as the advisory council chairman; member of Albany Court #77 Royal Order of Jesters, serving for several years as treasurer; Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay; and past patron of Beukendaal Chapter O.E.S. He married June A. (Kainu) Pelham on January 16, 1954 at Ft. Lewis, Wash. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Robert H. Pelham III and his wife Cindy of Burnt Hills, N.Y., Linda M. Tucci and her husband Thom of Charleston, S.C., Susan C. Cooper and her husband Clark of Rotterdam Junction, N.Y., James L. Pelham of Gainesville, Fla. and Nancy E. Cooper and her husband Dennis of Scotia; brothers, Roger H. Pelham of Clifton Park, N.Y. and the late Richard H. Pelham; grandchildren, Rachel Purdy of Schenectady, Alyssa Pelham of Burnt Hills, Stephanie Pelham of Niskayuna, N.Y., Bryan Pelham of Burnt Hills, Gregory Cooper and Rebecca Cooper of Rotterdam, Samantha Cooper, Shannon Cooper, Tyler Cooper and Trevor Cooper, all of Scotia, N.Y. Services will be 10 a.m. at the Scotia United Methodist Church, 201 N. TenBroeck St., Scotia. Calling hours are Friday 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bekkering-Ellis Funeral Home, Inc., 1 Mohawk Ave., Scotia. Burial, Memory's Garden, Colonie, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriner's Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or Scotia United Methodist Church, 201 N. TenBroeck St., Scotia, NY 12302.