Mr. Benjamin W. Robbins

Benjamin William Robbins, 90, of 9 Hyatt St, Cortland passed away peacefully at Groton Nursing Home on Friday December 26, 2014. Ben was born on October 2,1924 in Truxton, N.Y. where lived on the Robbins family farm with his four brothers and three sisters. Being the youngest son he remained on the farm helping his father while his brothers served in World War ll. He moved to Cortland after marrying Josephine DiRosa in 1944. Ben had several sales positions before purchasing the Pepsi franchise in 1954. For 15 years Ben was the sole Pepsi distributor for the City of Cortland and Cortland County. "Pepsi hits the spot" and through his hard work and determination his business grew from a one man-one delivery truck operation to eventually three trucks and several employees. In 1969 Ben sold the business and began working at S.U.N.Y. Cortland where he stayed until he retired. During his lifetime he was very active in the community serving as President of the Lions Club and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Ben and Josephine were lifelong members of the Moose Lodge. Ben enjoyed spending time with his family at the cottage on Bradley Brook and traveling with his wife. Ben is survived by his three daughters, Cheryl (Peter) Contento and grandchildren, Paul (Liz) Contento and Carrie Contento (Brendan Rew); Judy (Tom) Wilkins and grandchildren, Tyler Wilkins and Rebecca (Aaron) Sprouse; great grandchildren, Benjamin and Ella Sprouse; Kathy (Gerald) Coggi and grandchildren, Nicole, Michael and Dustin, brother in law, James DiRosa and sister in law, Margaret Robbins and several nieces and nephews. Ben was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Josephine DiRosa Robbins in May of 2013, his parents, Caleb and Florence Robbins., brothers, Edward, Stanley, Alton and Milton and sisters, Ethel Davis, Marion Nelson, Frances Phelps and grandson, Anthony Contento. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. In St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Zareski serving as celebrant. Prayers of committal will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Monday from 4-7 p.m. in the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 N. Main St. Cortland. Contributions in Ben's memory may be made to St. Anthony's Church 59 N. Main St. Cortland, N.Y. 13045 or the S.P.C.A. Condolences may also be sent to the family by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." Corinthians 13:7

Mr. Benjamin W. Robbins

October 2, 1924 - December 26, 2014