Robert H. Jerdo

Robert H. Jerdo,94 of Wadhams, NY passed away peacefully on Monday 11/21/22 at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, after a brief illness.
Bob( Rob, Robbie, Grampa J) was born 11/15/28 to Mr. and Mrs. John Jerdo of Essex and was the last surviving of their seven children. After his brother was killed in battle on the USS Franklin, he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Seaman First Class, aboard the USS Roosevelt.
Upon his honorable discharge and return home, Bob worked many small jobs until getting the call to go to work for his beloved Delaware&Hudson Railroad where he worked from 1948 to 1990 and was a proud member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. Eventually, the D&H became Canadian Pacific Railway and he retired there after 42 years.
In August of 1950, he married Mary (Sheehan) and they moved to their home in Wadhams where they raised their 3 girls. In 1957, Bob and others decided that Wadhams needed its own fire protection and so the Wadhams Fire Department was formed and the actual building was built. Bob held the position of Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief for numerous years, only retiring from active duty in recent years.
Bob was a lifetime member of the Niagara Flow Hunting Club in North Hudson, NY for over 50 years.
Bob is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Louise Jerdo and Tim Quain of Dannemora, Carol and Jim Meaker of Elizabethtown, and Nancy and Bob Marsh of Pine, AZ. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Grampa J loved watching his grandchildren play sports and was a fixture for many years in the stands with a pocket full of candy for all. He enjoyed watching the NY Yankees and attended many games over the years. He could tell you railroad stories, hunting stories or all about last night's game, even if you weren't interested.
Calling hours will be at Heald Funeral Home, Court St. Elizabethtown, NY on Sunday Nov.27 from 1-3pm. Services and burial will be at the convenience of the family. In the words of his grandson Scott, "Greatest Man Ever"!