Obituary of Robert N. Laffety

Robert N. Laffety, 91, of Stuyvesant, went to his Heavenly home on Monday, January 17th, 2022. His devotion to his family and firm belief in God was shown in every aspect of his life. Born on May 15, 1930, in Albany, NY, he was the son of the late Oscar and Frieda (Ristau) Laffety and brother of the late Charles Laffety and Shirley Mangione. Robert served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954. He retired after 33 years of employment at Sterling Winthrop Research Institute. After his retirement, he served as the superintendent of the Kinderhook Cemetery for a number of years. He has served as the Elder and Deacon of the Stuyvesant Reformed Church and the Kinderhook Reformed Church and more recently attended St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Valatie. He was a member of the Sleepy Hollow Barbershop Chorus (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.), a member of the American Legion, N.Y.S. Rifle & Pistol Association, a Meals on Wheels volunteer in Stuyvesant for a number of years as well as a lifetime member of the Stuyvesant Volunteer Fire Company #1. Robert loved outdoors, hunting, fishing and working in his meticulous garden and yard. He greatly enjoyed his many years as a member of the men's morning coffee group as well as Tuesday lunches with the ROMEO group. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rita M. (Gleason) Laffety; two daughters: Brenda (Geoffrey) Johnson and Kara Laffety, both of Stuyvesant; two grandsons: Michael McGrath (Jennifer) and Stephen McGrath (Lizzie Pesano); two granddaughters: Sara Ruggiero (Edwin) and Kathryn Ploss. He was the proud Great Grandfather of Madison, Aria and Kylar McGrath and Logan and Maggie Ruggiero. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, especially loved by Deborah (Richard) Miller, David (Cathy) Mangione and Christine (Phil) Rehkop. Memorial Service to be held at St. Luke's in Valatie, on Saturday, January 29th, at 1:00pm. Calling hour prior at 12:00pm. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Capital City Rescue Mission. Arrangements are under the direction of the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.