ONEONTA - Robert A. (Bob) Harlem, 86, of Oneonta, NY and a winter resident of Venice, FL died Sept 13, 2012. He was born June 14, 1926 in NYC to Helen (Goetz) and Leroy Harlem. Born on Flag Day, Bob was very patriotic. He exhibited his love of his country by wearing the US Flag pin almost every day!

Survivors include his wife, Irene; his former wife and mother of his 6 children, Ramona P. Harlem; children: Robert A. Harlem, Jr. (Barbara), of Oneonta, NY, Ramona Palermo (Richard) of Sarasota, FL, Richard A. Harlem (Debra) of Oneonta, Rebecca Lloyd (John) of Fort Edward, NY, Ruth Ehrets of Oneonta, and Rosemary Harlem-Wood (William) of Sarasota, FL; the true joys of his life – his 8 grandchildren; brother, Roy Harlem (Joan) of Caldwell, NJ; and 4 step-children, Charles (Sue) Mann, Donald Mann, Kenneth (Barbara) Mann and Robert (Karen) Mann, 7 step-grandchildren, 6 step-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm, Sunday, Sept. 23, at Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.


The funeral mass will be 10:15 am, Monday, Sept. 24, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Walnut Street, Oneonta. Interment with military honors will follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial Donations may be made to The Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 1117, Oneonta, NY 13820.


He was raised in Yonkers the second oldest of 5 children. Despite losing his father as a young boy, he did not let that deter him from obtaining his education and pursuing his dreams. He served in the US Army, graduated from Champlain College and Albany Law School. Upon graduation from law school, he joined the law firm of Harrington and Bookhout in Oneonta. His unmatched oratorical skills, prolific writing abilities, mental agility and passion for the law enabled him to become a most revered litigator; he was a lawyer's lawyer. Trying cases into his early 80's, his legal career spanned six decades!

A few of his accomplishments include:
Served as NYS Supreme Court Justice, 1979-91; Served as Otsego County Surrogate Court Judge 1975-78; Served as Otsego County Attorney; Town attorney during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s for many surrounding towns until he became Surrogate Court Judge; Incorporated the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club in 1964, and served on its Board; Attorney for the Goodyear Lake Association and was instrumental in saving the lake from being drained; Attorney for the Holy Name Society and the Newman House; Member of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church; Grande Knight (Knights of Columbus); Member of the Fox Hospital Foundation; Founding member and Chairman of the Board-Oneonta Indians Football Club; Oneonta Country Club - served as both a director and the President, and was very proud that he "shot his age" beginning in his 70's!; Trustee for the Elks; Guest conductor for UCCCA; Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year; Supporter of St Mary's School, Orpheus Theater and Hartwick College; Member Advisory Board for the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of Sarasota County, FL; Supporter of Bon Secours Hospital; Founding member of the Community Foundation at The Venice Golf & Country Club; and Member of the Board of Directors of the Master Association of the Venice Golf and Country Club.

His personality was such that he fit in with all from bar room to board room. His enthusiasm for life was contagious and will be remembered.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com