Robert Girts

November 30, 1914 - September 5, 2002

Robert E. Girts, age 87, of the Gerry Retirement Campus, formerly of Jamestown and Arizona, died at 4:24 P.M. Monday (Sept. 2, 2002) in WCA Hospital. He was born November 30, 1914 in a lumber camp in Cherry Grove, Pa., a son of John H. and Amber Adams Girts. At the age of 14 he moved with his family to a farm on a dirt road, now known as Girts Road, north of Jamestown. He served witht the Civilian Conservation Corps in Virginia where his group built Fairy Stone State Park. He worked at several jobs in Jamestown including Crescent Tool Co. and Blackstone Corporation, where he retired in 1980 after 34 years of service. Shortly after his retirement, he moved with his wife to Scottsdale, Ariz., returning to the Jamestown area in June, 2002. He was a life member of the Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Department, where he ended his active service as a member of the Fire Police squad. He was a former vice president of the United Electrical Workers Union at Blackstone Corp., and in earlier years had played semi-professional baseball. He loved to play baseball and golf, and was a sharp pool player. He was particularly proud of having earned his G.E.D. diploma in his 40's. Survivors: Wife - the former Esther A. Powell, whom he married in 1935 Sons - Robert L. and James E. Girts Daughter - Bonnie A. Nickerson Grandchildren - Robert David Girts, Timothy P. Girts, Kathleen J. Raab, Randy Nickerson, Melissa Wencl 6 great grandchildren He was preceded in death by 2 brothers: Lloyd and Harold "Pete: Girts; and by 2 sisters: Evea Girts Swope and Alice Girts Brierly. Rev. Harry Girts will officiate at the service. Burial will follow in Lake View Cemetery. Memorials: Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Department Fluvanna Ave. Ext. Jamestown, NY 14701