Robert Emerson Wilson

b. 23 May 1922, d. 12 February 2013

Robert Emerson Wilson, 1922-2013
  • Robert Emerson Wilson was born on 23 May 1922 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 25 May 1922 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: [Births] To Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson of No. 336 Seventh street, May 23rd, a son, Robert Emerson.
  • Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1925 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 336 Seventh Street. Other members of the household included Robert Emerson Wilson, Carolyn Margaret Wilson, Dorothy Edna Gorman and Harry Hayes. Boarding in the household was Vincent DeFrancis.
  • A photographic portrait was made of little Bobby, about 1927.
    Bobby Wilson, about 1927
  • Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 336 Seventh Street Also living in the household was roomer Vincent DeFrances.. Other members of the household included Robert Emerson Wilson, Henry Hayes and Carolyn Margaret Wilson.
  • For years, young Bobby sang in the choir at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls.
    Bobby Wilson, choirboy at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls
  • Robert Wilson's five children and his only living sibling gathered in Lockport when he and Alice visited from California during the summer of 1937.
  • Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 336 Seventh Street. Other members of the household included Robert Emerson Wilson. Also in the household was lodger Vincent DeFrancis.
  • He was attending school and employed as a mail clerk at the alkali factory, according to the 1940 census.
  • During high school, Bobby worked at Stine's drugstore at Main & Pine in Niagara Falls.
    Bobby Wilson at Stine's drugstore, Niagara Falls
  • Young Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson were caught in a snapshot in 1941.
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson, 1941
  • The following appeared on 28 November 1944 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Robert E. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, of 336 Seventh street, has been promoted to the rank of corporal with the Thirteenth Army Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific. A former student at the University of Buffalo, Corporal Wilson was employed by the Mathieson Alkali company before entering the services.
  • The following appeared on 27 March 1945 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Corporal Robert E. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, of 336 Seventh street, is now stationed with the Thirteenth Army Air Force in the Philippines. He is a graduate of the Niagara Falls high school and has seen much action in the Pacific. He is a chemical warfare technician with the Vampire unit of the Thirteenth Air Force. 
  • Bob Wilson and Marilyn Guenther were photographed on two occasions in 1946 Niagara Falls with young niece Elsa.
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson with niece Elsa
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson with niece Elsa
  • Bob Wilson appeared in a snapshot with his niece Elsa in 1947. He was her godfather.
    Bob Wilson and niece Elsa, 1947
  • Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson were photographed in April 1948.
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson, April 948
  • Bob Wilson and Marilyn Guenther were photographed in April 1950, a few months before their marriage.
    Bob Wilson and Marilyn Guenther, April 948
  • The following appeared on 21 October 1950 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Marriage Licenses . . . Oct. 16 - Robert Emerson Wilson, 336 Seventh street, and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 1887 Cleveland avenue.
  • The following appeared on 20 October 1950 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Out-of-town guests attending the Wilson-Guenther wedding tomorrow will be: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Vorwerk, Lauerlton, N.J; Mr. and Mrs. Carroll W. Corliss, Batavia; Dr. and Mrs. Leo C. Sierk, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ames, Miss Beverly Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Sierk, all of Attica; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sierk, Mr. Paul Sierk, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Cady, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Sierk, Darien; Miss Edna Dusinberre, Mrs. Sarah Lindsay, Geneva; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hunn, Pavilion; Mr. Paul A. Mitchell, Forest Hills, L.I; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hayworth and family, Mimico, Ont., and Miss Gertrude Everett, Toronto, Ont.
  • He married Marilyn Ethel Guenther, daughter of Gaylord Stephen Guenther and Mary Ethel Sierk, on 21 October 1950 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at First Presbyterian Church.
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
  • The following appeared on 23 October 1950 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: The First Presbyterian church was the scene of a lovely autumn wedding on Saturday afternoon when Miss Marilyn E. Guenther, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord S. Guenther, Cleveland avenue, and Mr. Robert E. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, Seventh street, were united in marriage. The Rev. Charles C. Berryhill officiated at the double-ring ceremony.
         White gladioli and chrysanthemums added to the setting of candlelight and palms.
         Mrs. Charles M. Offenhauer, accompanied by Mrs. Katharine E. Endres, organist, provided the musical background with "Because" and "I Love Thee."
         The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a bridal gown of gardenia white satin with a scrollwork design on the Peter Pan collar and on the front and back of bodice. The same design was carried out in the front panel of the fully-gathered skirt which extended into a cathedral-length train. Her fingertip veil of imported scalloped illusion fell from a fitted helmet of shirred satin. She carried a cascade bouquet of white chrysanthemums.
         The maid of honor, Miss Jane Guenther, sister of the bride, wore a gown of emerald green satin with matching gauntlets. The mandarin neckline was accented with a beaded motif on each side. The back of the fully-gathered skirt fell into a cascade of ruffles. She carried copper colored chrysanthemums and wore a matching headpiece.
         Mrs. Jack Guenther, sister-in-law of the bride, and Mrs. Richard Sharp, bridesmaids, wore gowns of shrimp satin, fashioned after that of the maid of honor. They carried bronze chrysanthemums and also wore matching headpieces.
         Mr. Jack Guenther, brother of the bride, was best man. The ushers were Mr. Paul Mitchell, Forest Hills, L. I., and Mr. Richard Sharp.
         The mother of the bride selected a dress of skipper blue crepe with blue and rose accessories. An orchid corsage completed her ensemble. The bridegroom's mother wore a teal blue dress of tissue faille with black accessories and an orchid corsage.
         Following the ceremony, a reception for more than 200 guests was held in the church parlors. Colored leaves and flowers carried out the autumn theme. The bride's table, decorated with garlands of white flowers and fern, was centered with a three-tier wedding cake.
         Assisting at the reception were Mrs. Frederick Vorwerk, Laurelton, N. J., sister of the bridegroom; Mrs. Caroll Corliss, Batavia; Miss Beverly Ames, cousin of the bride, Attica, Mrs. Harold Kneeppel, Mrs. Stanley Kresses and Mrs. George Cassford, this city.
         The bride chose for travel a gabardine suit of barberry red with matching hat and grey accessories. A white chrysanthemum corsage completed her ensemble. After a motor trip through the New England states, the couple will reside at 649 Eighth street, this city.
  • A photographic portrait was made in 1957 of Marilyn Wilson with sons Steve and Rob.
    Marilyn Wilson with sons Steve and Rob, 1957
  • Robert Emerson Wilson became a widower at the 10 January 1970 death of his wife Marilyn Ethel Guenther.
  • The following appeared on 1 August 1973 in the Fairport Herald-Mail: Late afternoon wedding rites were performed at the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, Saturday, June 30 when Mrs. Alice Denny Strait of 34 Jordan Road, Pittsford, and Robert E. Wilson of 5 Harvest Road, Fairport, were joined in matrimony. The bride is the widow of Stephen N. Strait of Canandaugua. She is the daughter of Mrs. William. O. Denny and the late Governor Denny of Dover, Delaware.
         The bridegroom is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson of Niagara Falls.
         The Reverend Richard L. Kesel officiated at the services with Dr. Harold Tappan providing the background organ music.
         The children of the bride and groom, Cynthia and Anne Strait; Robert and Steven L. Wilson; and Stephen W. and Daniel Strait participated in the ceremony. Attending the marriage services were the bride's sister, Mrs. Henry F. Goodnow, Jr. of Boulder, Colorado and the bride's sister and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Bradley J. Strait of Jamesville, New York.
         A reception for close relatives and friends followed at the Locust Hill Country Club.
         The new Mrs. Wilson is a French teacher at the French Road Middle School in Brighton. Her husband is Claims Manager in the Rochester area of Exchange Mutual Insurance Company.
         The family will reside in Pittsford.
  • Bob and June Wilson were photographed on their granddaughter's wedding day in 2005.
    June and Bob Wilson on their granddaughter's wedding day in 2005.
  • Robert Emerson Wilson died on 12 February 2013 at age 90 in Pittsford, Monroe County, New York.
  • Cremains were shared between his two resting places, White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford, Monroe County, and Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica, Wyoming County.
  • A single grave marker identifies the graves of Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther.
  • The following appeared on 14 February 2013 in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: (Pittsford) Robert E. Wilson (May 23, 1922 - February 12, 2013) at age 90 passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family after a brief illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, June (Alice Denney Strait); his sons, Robert (Anne) and Steven; step-children, Cynthia (Steve Smith), Anne (Rob Wilson), Stephen Strait (Debbie) and Daniel Strait (Susan); grandchildren, Ben (Lauren) Wilson, Alicyn (Matt) Preall, Adam (Jen) Wilson, Zachary Wilson, Alaina and Kate Smith, Bradley and Leann Strait; great-grandchildren, Eliot Wilson and Emmy Preall; numerous loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was a native of Niagara Falls, NY and son of the late Peter and Louise Wilson and brother of Carolyn Vorwerk. Bob served in the United States Army Air Force for 4 1/2 years in the Philippines during WWII. After the war ended, he went on to graduate from Niagara University and marry the late Marilyn Guenther. Bob has lived in Rochester for over 50 years and was employed for many of those years in the casualty insurance business until forming and becoming a partner in Wilson & Longwell. Bob was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford and loved to sing with his beautiful tenor voice.
         Calling hours, Friday 5 PM-8 PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport (Egypt location). Memorial Service, Saturday 11 AM at First Presbyterian of Pittsford (25 Church St., Pittsford). Interment, White Haven.
  • Last Edited: 27 Jan 2017

Family: Marilyn Ethel Guenther b. 21 February 1923, d. 10 January 1970