Robert C. Failing, Jr.

Robert C. Failing, Jr. of St. Johnsville, NY passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, at the age of 83 at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY with loving family members at his side.

He was born in Little Falls, NY on July 16,1941 to Robert C. and Mary Gressler Failing. He attended St. Johnsville Central School, graduating in 1959. Robert attended the State University College at Oneonta where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1963. In 1965, he graduated from Albany State University with his Masters of Science degree. He also attended State University College at Fredonia as well as State University College at Buffalo.

Robert was first employed as an Admissions Counselor at Mohawk Valley Community College. He then accepted a teaching position with the Canajoharie Central School District where he taught elementary education for 24 years before retiring to run his family’s Ford dealership full time. He was also president of Failing Family Enterprises.

Robert married Hazel Moon in 1965. Together they raised and are survived by: Robert C. Failing, III, Mary Beth (Richard) Hudyncia, Lynn (David) Briggs, and Amanda Failing. In 1995, he married Marion K. Baldwin adding two sons to the family: Eric (Melanie) Baldwin and Keith (Jody) Baldwin, as well as a special niece, Marcy Weed and her daughter Emmerson. He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Mackenzie Failing, Liza Hudyncia, Toria (Paul) Scotto, Anderson (Collin) Okoniewski, Kiernan Briggs and his fiancée Marissa, Noah Baldwin, and Anniella Baldwin. Bob was thrilled to have three great-grandchildren: Giuliana Scotto, Giovanni Scotto and Briggs Okoniewski. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary C. Failing, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Michelle Marie and his brother James M. Failing.

Bob’s lifelong love for baseball started on the field as a pitcher for St. Johnsville High School. He was proud to help earn a win for both Mohawk Valley League titles in 1958 and 1959, while capturing the first ever Sectional Title in 1959. He played semi-pro baseball for Rockwood, Roback Post of Utica, St. Johnsville Merchants, and Fredonia. He coached a local Babe Ruth team, served as pitching coach for SUC at Fredonia, and was a varsity baseball coach for Canajoharie Central School.

Off of the field, Bob wrote for Baseball Hobby News in San Diego. For ten years, he covered the Baseball Hall of Fame Inductions, where he assisted MAB Celebrity Enterprises, giving him the opportunity to work with many baseball immortals. Over the years, he contributed many baseball articles to the St. Johnsville Enterprise and News, the Little Falls Evening Times, the Amsterdam Recorder, and Autograph News.

Bob was an avid collector of memorabilia and was well known for possessing very unique baseball artifacts. His collection of items relating to former President Gerald R. Ford was perhaps one of the finest, as it included artifacts from the Inauguration of the first President to receive the title without being elected. Failing’s Ford dealership was constantly recognized by Ford Motor Company as one of the most successful small businesses they franchised. In 1998, Robert C. Failing, Inc. was the nation’s highest award recipient. He also served as chairman for the Ford Motor Company Committee of Select dealers numbering approximately half of the company’s 2500 dealerships. When he retired, Ford Division President Jim O’Connor called him “The company’s champion for smaller dealers.”

Bob was a man of deep faith who loved spending time with his family. He was often seen walking the streets of St. Johnsville with his sidekick, “Archie”, talking to everyone he saw. Bob loved discussing all things baseball, politics, and God. His family would like to thank the amazing staff at Bassett Hospital for all of the loving care that Bob was so quick to notice and appreciate.

The family will be receiving relatives and friends on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4-7 pm at the locally owned and family operated, Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service (next to the Masonic Lodge), 20 Bridge St., St. Johnsville, NY 518-568-7040. His funeral will commence on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. John’s Reformed Church, 68 W. Main St., St. Johnsville, NY. Burial at St. Johnsville Cemetery will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ayers Memorial Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Rd., Sprakers, NY 12166 or The St. John’s Reformed Church, 68 West Main, St. Johnsville, NY 13452.

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