Robert J. Sheldon Sr.

Canton - Robert J. "Bob" Sheldon, 86, of 47 East Main St., Canton passed away Monday August 8, 2016 at his camp near Saranac Inn, NY under the care of Hospice and his family.

     Born August 16, 1929 in Oswego, NY to the late John and Alice Canfield Sheldon, Bob graduated from Oswego High School after having a stellar athletic career, earning 5 Varsity letters in one year, and went on to graduate from Colgate University in 1952 with a BA  followed by his master’s degree. While in college Bob played football and basketball and was a member of the ATO Fraternity.

     Bob began his career teaching science and coaching at Corning Free Academy and was hired by St. Lawrence University in the fall of 1957.  Over the next 35 years at SLU, Bob coached basketball, baseball and football, taught numerous Phys. Ed classes from archery to bowling, earned the position of Assistant Athletic Director, moved into the new Augsbury Field House from Brewer, attended literally countless athletic contests, served as an NCAA officer, helped the number of teams grow to 24, ushered in Title IX, and ended his run as Athletic Director and as an inductee into the St. Lawrence University Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his wife were the directors of Colgate University Camp on Upper Saranac Lake for 35 summers where they helped create a life-time of special Adirondack memories for many Colgate faculty, staff and alumni families.

       Bob enjoyed woodworking, refinishing antiques, needle work, fishing, playing cribbage and liar’s dice, watching sports of all kinds, keeping up with SLU teams, reading, sports pools, tuning in to MSNBC, working out at Newell, and especially enjoyed watching most of his 15 grandchildren compete on various athletic fields around the North Country. Bob was also a member of the Grace Episcopal Church.

     Bob married Jean Leroy from Oswego on January 27, 1951 and they raised a family of 7, living in Corning from 1953-1957, and moving to Canton in 1957.

      Surviving Bob are five daughters and their spouses: Deborah Sheldon, Christine and Daniel Huntley, all of Canton, Katheryn McHugh, Saranac Lake, Susan and Gregory Stratford, Bloomingdale, Sandra and Gregory Drechsel, Potsdam, two sons and spouses, Robert and Cynthia, Northboro, MA, and Gary and Melissa, Middle Haddam, CT.; two brothers and their spouses, Richard and Marguerite Widell, FL, and Thomas and Diane Sheldon, Oswego, NY, 14 grandchildren (and  5 spouses),  2 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

     Bob was predeceased by his wife, Jean, twin daughters Mary and Theresa, his sister Betty, and grandson Casey McHugh.

          A celebration of Bob’s life will take place on Thursday, September 1 at 1:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Augsbury Physical Education Center on the St. Lawrence Campus with a reception following at The Club. Those wishing to remember Bob with a gift might consider Colgate University Camp, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley or Hospice of the North Country, Malone, or to St. Lawrence University Athletic Dept. c/o Bob Sheldon.

Arrangements are under the care of the O’Leary Funeral Service of Canton. Memories and condolences may be expressed online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.

 Service Information