Robert J "Grampa Bob" Manwaring

Robert J “Grampa Bob” Manwaring, age 85, formerly of Mexico, NY passed away peacefully on September 10 at St. Luke Health Services in Oswego, NY.

 He was born on June 18, 1936 in the Town of Richland to Ora Manwaring and Eva Grieb and was the seventh of eight children. He was a talented musician who played trumpet in the Manwaring brothers family band and served in the Army National Guard Reserve.  He was a farmer at heart and maintained a cattle farm with various other kinds of animals as well as a huge vegetable garden.  He later went from beef to dairy cattle and shipped milk to Queens Farms for many years. In addition to farming, he worked full-time as a molder for Crouse Hinds Company for 42 years, retiring on May 15, 1998.  Instead of relaxing, he changed careers and put his life savings into opening Grampa Bob’s Animal Park in Mexico, NY. There, children and adults alike were treated to up-close exchanges with a variety of both domestic and exotic animals.  He was a generous man who lived to put a smile on the faces of others.  His youngest son said it best; “He was a lot of things to a lot of people, but he was everyone’s Grampa Bob.”

Robert was predeceased by his wife of 28 years, the former Cathy Chatterton.  He is survived by his children, Donna (John) Darling of Pulaski, Nancy (Jim) Fowler of Mexico, Darryl of Clarksville, TN, Stan (Rhonda) of Mechanicsburg, PA, Allen of Mexico and Ryan (Tara) of Sandy Creek, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by a brother, Roland of Pulaski. 

Calling hours will be held Saturday October 2, 2021 from 1-2pm with a Memorial Service immediately following at 2pm at Summerville Funeral Home. Burial will be at South Richland Cemetery.

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