Robert W. (Bob) Hartigan

Robert (Bob) W. Hartigan – Bob, age 78 passed away May 31,2025 at Little Falls Hospital. Bob was born on February 1, 1947, in Utica, NY; the son of the late Herbert C. and Mary Grace (Loughlin) Hartigan. He was a graduate of Herkimer High School Class of 1964. He was a proud member of the United States Coast Guard serving 6 years, who was honorably discharged on October 12, 1970, with a rank of Quartermaster Second Class. He served in Vietnam from 1967–1968, participating in several pilot rescues, gunfire support missions and junk boardings. He received numerous medals: National Defense Service; Vietnam Service and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.  He was especially proud of the lifelong friends he made in the Coast Guard.

In 1969 he went to H.C.C.C where he was awarded his associate’s degree in business. He joined Rite Aid Pharmacy as an assistant manager, becoming manager a year later and stayed with Rite Aid until 1981. In 1981, he went to work for Hummel’s Office Plus as store manager, later rising to store supervisor (5 stores) and later V.P. of Retail Stores and Director of Marketing until 2006 when he retired.

In 1979 he met the love of his life Lorraine Fylak, whom he married in 1980 and Lorraine’s two children Joseph J. Fylak and Gregory M. Fylak whom he truly felt were his own children. Bob was married to Lorraine for 44 years.

Bob is survived by his wife Lorraine, sons Joseph (Jay) and Debbie Fylak of Youngsville, N.C., and Gregory and Beth Anne Fylak of Hockessin, DE. He is also survived by his grandchildren Sarah, Nicholas & Amanda, who he had a special bond with and loved with all his heart. “Poppie” never missed a chance to see his grandchildren in person whether in a play, chorus or playing their favorite sport: Sarah (volleyball), Nicholas (baseball) and Amanda (competitive cheer), which they excelled at. Bob is also survived by his brother Joseph (Patricia) Hartigan and sister Mary Jane (Gary) Vooris. He is survived by nieces and nephews Jennifer Stutz, Joseph Hartigan, Ryan Vooris and Meghan Vooris. He was predeceased by his parents Herbert & Mary Grace and in-laws John & Helen Malinowski and his brother-in-law Joseph Malinowski. He leaves behind special friends Mike Vertucci and Bob Macrina along with Shawn Walruth whom he can’t thank enough for all the home repairs he completed and who was always a phone call away to help or just stop by to say hi and have a beer. He also leaves many friends, cousins and relatives in the Mohawk Valley.

Bob was a proud member of the Herkimer BPOE Elks Lodge #1439 and Herkimer VFW #4915.

A lifelong sports nut, Bob was the head coach of the Herkimer Little League Giants from 1969–1982, where his team won more games than any other team in 1981. In 1982, his PBA Giants recorded a perfect 18–0 record, one of which has not been duplicated and still stands. He was also the co-founder and president of Herkimer Babe Ruth League for 7 years and managed the Reds who won the championship 4 of the 7 years he coached. He then continued his coaching career with the Herkimer American Legion Post 38 from 1985–1988 and played in the county championship 3 of the 4 years. His love for the game of baseball didn’t stop here as he joined the Mohawk Valley Umpires Association, thus becoming an umpire for 10 years.

Needless to say, these accomplishments could not have happened without the great dedicated young men & women who played for him, and he was immensely proud of the lifelong friends he made with his players and their families.

Bob was a fanatic of his beloved NY Yankees, NY Giants, NY Rangers and Syracuse Orange. He was a season ticket holder for the Utica Comets and Utica College Hockey for many years. He had a passion for golf, which he played weekly with his friends for 40 years.

“To my wife, sons, grandchildren, relatives and friends, I may have gone before you but do not weep for me. I am a much better person for having you in my life. If you need guidance just call my name as I watch over, you.”

A special thank you for the exceptional care given by each and every staff member at Foltsbrook Center for going above and beyond their duties in making Bob as comfortable as possible during his 15 month stay and for welcoming him into the Foltsbrook family.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the locally owned and family operated Vincent A. Enea Funeral Services, 527 East Albany Street, Herkimer, NY. Calling hours will be Monday, June 9th 6-8 pm. A funeral mass will take place at Holy Family Parish, Little Falls, NY on Tuesday, June 10th at 11am. Burial will follow mass on Tuesday, June 10th  at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY with full military honors.  

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan St., FL 17, Chicago, Ill 60601 or the Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Springs, MD 20910. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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