Robert B. Gydesen

Lyons Falls - Robert B. Gydesen, 79, of Gorham Street, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 30, 2008, at his hunting camp on the Steam Mill Road in Brantingham. Robert was born in Utica on August 25, 1929, a son of Ted and Gladys Burton Gydesen. He grew up on the Gydesen homestead farm on the Lyons Falls -Greig Road, and graduated from General Martin Central School, Glenfield, in the Class of 1948. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, first stationed at Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC. Mr. Gydesen served in Korea from 1950-1952 during the Korean Conflict, and was wounded during his participation in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. In 1952, Robert was honorably discharged from the Marines and returned to the family farm that he and his parents operated. Bob and his father also operated a logging and trucking business, cutting and transporting native timber to area furniture manufacturing companies. On August 9, 1958, Robert was united in marriage with Janet Blankman at the Boonville United Methodist Church where Rev. Robert Holmes officiated. After their marriage the couple lived on the Lyons Falls - Greig Road, then later moved to Gorham Street, where they lived for forty six years. From 1974 until his retirement in 1995, Mr. Gydesen was employed in the maintenance department of Kraft Food Co. in Lowville. He was a member of Forest Presbyterian Church, Lyons Falls. He had a lifetime love of hunting, and greatly enjoyed trips to his hunting camp, the western United States, and Canada to hunt big game with his son, Brad. In addition to his wife, Janet, he is survived by one daughter, Beth Ann Gydesen, at home; one son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Susan Gydesen, Croghan; two granddaughters, Emily and Lydia, both at home; and one sister, Helen Gydesen, Lyons Falls. He was predeceased by a brother, Glenn. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville, where the Reverend Naomi Kelly, pastor of Forest Presbyterian Church will officiate. A spring interment will be in Port Leyden Cemetery. Visitation hours are Tuesday, 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lyons Falls Fire Department Ambulance Fund or Forest Presbyterian Church, Lyons Falls, NY 13368.