Robert Edward Friend, 79, of Cazenovia, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. He was born June 13, 1941, in Cazenovia to Louis and Helen Cox Friend and was a graduate of Cazenovia High School in 1960.

Robert retired as the service manager with Agway Petroleum in Minoa where he was employed for several years. Upon his retirement he continued working as an HVAC technician for Automatic Utilities in Cazenovia.  He also worked for the Madison County Waste Management Transfer Station in Wampsville for 10 years.

He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Pop Pop”; Bob enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and interacting with them in sports. Bob had a passion for classic cars and enjoyed going to car shows with his 1969 Mercury. In his spare time he enjoyed welding and creating outdoor ornamental yard birds that he displayed and sold at the farmers market.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary L. Friend; his children, Pamela (Timothy) Rightmyre of Chittenango and Robert Friend II of Chittenango; his siblings, Phyllis Shaw of Pleasant Prairie, WI, Donald Friend of Pleasant Valley, WI and Sheila Bartlett of Greenwood, MS; three grandchildren, Emily Rightmyre, Joseph Rightmyre and Ella Friend. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by a brother, Roger Friend; his daughter-in-law, Lisa Friend and by his grandchildren, Molly and Benjamin Rightmyre.

There are no calling hours. Graveside services will be private. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in June of 2021. Contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to CAVAC, 106 Nelson St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 or to the Cazenovia Fire Department, 127 Albany St., Cazenovia, NY 13035. To leave a message of sympathy for the Friend family, please visit michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.