Robert “Bob” Ira Bailey, 77, a longtime resident of Eldred, NY, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Westchester Medical Center – Valhalla, NY. The son of the Late Ira and Sophie (Majowicz) Bailey, he was born June 3, 1945 in Middletown, NY. 

Bob was a retired Postmaster for the Middletown and Barryville branch.  He was a US Air Force Veteran.  He was married for 26 years to Rosemary (Brennan) Bailey.  He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, Yulan, NY and St. Ann RC Church, Shohola, PA.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.     

A family statement reads: “Bob was a loving and caring husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, step grandfather, brother and uncle.  Bob always said he couldn’t wait to retire, but every day, he had to go to the post office to get his mail and talk to people.   As a child he enjoyed trapping, he was an avid hunter and fisherman.  His childhood buddy was his cousin Billy, they would work on the family farm, milking cows and doing the chores that needed to done.  They had so much fun.  Bob was proud of his house.  He loved all his cats.  He will truly be missed by all.”   

He is survived by his wife: Rosemary, daughter: Michelle Leiter and her husband Brian Canfield of Middletown, NY, grandchildren: David Leiter and his wife Gina, Melissa Leiter, great grandson: Nicholas  Leiter,  two sisters: Susan Parmley and her husband David of Farmington, MO,  Janet Formisano and her life partner David Ainbinder of Bloomingburg, NY, stepchildren: Elizabeth McKean and her husband Rory of Shohola, PA, John Traver of Shohola, PA, Tom Traver of Shohola, PA, Patrick Traver of Barryville, NY, step grandchildren: Matthew Fredericks, Samantha Fredericks, Kelsey Traver, Shawna Traver, many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Bob is predeceased by daughter: Mary Ann Bailey and his step grandson: Jason Fredericks.    

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 1pm to 4pm and Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 10am to 10:30am at the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home 3412 SR97, Barryville, NY 12719.   A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 11am at St. Ann RC Church 123 Richardson Ave. Shohola, PA 18458.  Burial follow mass in the parish cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers: donations can be made in Bob’s name to:  American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 

Arrangements are the care of the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home, 3412 Sr 97, Barryville, NY 12719 845-557-8010