Robert A. "Bob" Payne Jr.

After a good life, well lived, Robert A. “Bob” Payne Jr., passed peacefully, with his loving family by his side, Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Bob was born in Utica, NY, September 8, 1936, the oldest of eight children, to the late Robert A. Sr. and Erma (Doxstader) Payne. He was educated in Utica schools and a graduate of Utica Free Academy. He later attended Utica College.

On May 31, 1959, Bob was joined in marriage to the former Joan Stadt. Bob and Joan shared sixty-four loving years of marriage, and were inseparable. They worked, played and performed community service, always together. Life revolved around family and their home was the center of activity. They enjoyed every single event and activity in their family’s lives, and never missed an event.

An avid outdoorsman, Bob prided himself in being an Adirondack Man and was happiest when he crossed over the Blue Line. He was very knowledgeable about the outdoors and loved spending time at the family camp on the Black River in Port Leyden, where he hunted, fished, canoed, hiked, and cross country skied with his family. He always felt a special connection hiking with his children.

A civic minded man, Bob served in the Army National Guard, was a lifetime member of the NRA, and was always proud of the fact he marched in the JFK Inaugural parade. He was a longtime member and a former Trustee of Historic Old St. John’s Church, was on the Syracuse diocesan cemetery board, was a Rotary member, and both he and Joan were members of the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Bob’s work career began as a stock room employee at GE and, in 1962, he joined the family business, US Materials Handling Corp, which his parents started in 1956. He worked along with his family and was instrumental in helping the company become well known and respected in the US and internationally. After a career of over sixty years, he retired as President of the Corp.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; his three children, Robert III and Lisa Payne, Denise and Steven “Chops” Burline, and Deborah Hajdasz and her partner, John Lawendowski; son-in-law, Scot Nolan; adored grandchildren, Ryan Payne, Nicole and Andrew Citriniti, Jessica Burline, Tija and Ernie Marcello, Tiffany and Anthony Brandal, Mikayla Ward and Dominic Citriniti,  Joshua Ward, and Natalie and Olivia Nolan; great grandchildren, Gianna and Adelina Marcello, Landon Brandal, and Angelo John Citriniti; brothers and sisters, Jon Payne, Patricia and James Caruthers, Mary Lou and Terrance Coughlin, Carole Longway, Michael Payne and Cynthia DuPrau; in-laws, Kathleen and William Perun; and also many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Michelle Ward Nolan; sister and brother- in-law, Deanne and Patrick Burke; sister-in-law, Linda Payne; and Brian Longway.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, at 3 pm at Historic Old St. Johns Church. Private entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3pm at Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Bob Payne, please consider donations to the St. John’s Food Pantry or the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org. Envelopes will be available.

Online memorials at MattFuneralHome.com

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