Robert "Bob" Warrington

Warrington, Robert "Bob"
HALLANDALE, Fla. - Robert "Bob" Warrington, a superb three-sport athlete, devoted family-man and a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Navy's elite Ceremonial Guard, died on February 23. 2023, in Hallandale, Fla. He was 75 years old.
According to his family, he succumbed to cancer, a disease he battled for 18 years. They said:?"If anyone had a will to live, it was Bob. During that time, he was always positive and enjoyed his life to the fullest." He was a symbol of strength and resiliency to his family, friends and former sports' competitors.
Bob was a distinguished alumnus of Valatie's Ichabod Crane Central School, class of 1965. He was a pivotal player on Coach Gordy Van Buren's championship basketball teams during Ichabod's halcyon days from 1963-65. He was a consummate team player whose individual performances on defense and offense shone brightly in Ichabod' perennial winning seasons. In his mid-twenties, Bob starred in semi-pro football for the Empire League's Massena Warriors while working in the North Country, and later with the local Twin-County Vikings. He also competed in the Empire State games in Olympic-style weightlifting and discus and shotput from his twenties to his mid-fifties and was a consistent medal winner. Bob also coached young kids from diverse county schools in multiple sports.
Bob was an honorably discharged, proud member of the Navy's Ceremonial Guard who participate in Presidential inaugurations and arrival ceremonies for foreign officials. In addition, the Navy Ceremonial Guard serves as the funeral escort and conducts all services for Navy personnel buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Bob had a tattoo on his leg honoring the 1,500 men and women he honored at their funerals, and he often spoke about his Vietnam-era role with great reverence. Three months ago, and on his annual trip south from his Niverville home, Bob and his wife Patricia would stop in Washington, D.C., to pay their respects to the fallen. The fallen now include among their hallowed ranks, this proud Columbia County patriot.
Bob Warrington was born June 23, 1947, in Portland, Maine to George Warrington and Delica Ouellette Warrington, who predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Warrington; sister Maryjane Stillman; children, Robert Warrington Jr. (Emily), Craig Warrington, Kelly Yates (Gary), Paul Jay Smith (Renee), Shain Smith (Becky); and grandchildren, Mitchell Warrington, Jesse Warrington, Ava Warrington, Jayden Smith (Alaina) and Wesley Smith.
Bob was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Jim Stillman; and sister Kathy Rosbrook (Richard).
A service for the family will be held at a later date.
Donations in Bob's name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the Veterans Administration Hospitals.