Robert Wall

Robert Wall, 96, a native of Syracuse, died Thursday, November 15.

Born in Syracuse, Bob was a veteran of WWII, serving in the European Theatre. He resided in Cazenovia for over thirty years, where he was a communicant of Saint James Church and served as chairman of the Finance Committee, was president of the Parish Council, a lector and Eucharistic minister.

Mr. Wall was chairman of the Town of Cazenovia Board of Assessment Review for twenty years. He volunteered as a language instructor at Cazenovia High School, teaching German.

Mr. Wall retired after forty seven years with Gerrity Company, Inc. as Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Wall was a graduate of NYS College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He has since served as a member of the Alumni Board of the College of ESF.

He has been a member and past president of the St. Thomas Moore Foundation, a member of The Century Club of Syracuse, Everson Museum Members' Council and Trip Committee, and a volunteer at Unity Kitchen in Syracuse.

He was a founding member and first president of the Onondaga Ski Club, as well as an active member and past president of the Syracuse Alumni Ski Club.

For twenty seven years Bob wrote a weekly ski column for the Syracuse Herald Journal. He also wrote ski and travel articles for the Syracuse Herald American, Ski Magazine, Skiing, and Ski America. He was a member of the Board and past president of Eastern Ski Writers Association. He was also a member of the Board and past president of North American Ski Journalists Association. As a member of the Board of Publishers Group International and an editor of the Blue Book of European Ski Resorts, he covered Austria and Germany.

He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Mary Margaret Sweeney Wall. He is survived by daughter Maryellen Stearns and her husband, Melvin of New Woodstock, NY, son John Robert Wall and his wife, Amy of Spring Hill, TN. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Nathan) Funk, John Stearns, Joshua Stearns, Julia (Austin) Goodwin, Jeremy, Hannah and Lauren Wall; five great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 21st at 10 am at Blessed Sacrament Church. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt.

Calling Hours will be from 3 to 6 pm on Tuesday at Burns and Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Francis House, 108 Michaels Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13208; or to Aurora of Central New York, Inc., 518 James Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY, 13203. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.burnsgarfield.com