Obituary of Robert G. Sivack

LITTLE FALLS Robert G. Sivack, 92 formerly of Furnace Street, Little Falls and more recent a resident of the Alpine Nursing and Rehab. Center, Little Falls passed away Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Little Falls Hospital. He was born on April 22, 1920 in Little Falls the son of the late Stephen and Emily (Urich) Sivack. He was a graduate of Little Falls High School. Mr. Sivack was a veteran of World War II serving with the US Army. Entering the service on July 6, 1940 in Syracuse, NY. He was present for the invasion of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Mr. Sivack had relayed his story of that day to several news organizations over the years. He was stationed at Fort Weaver on the west side of the Pearl Harbor entrance and said he was shocked from his sleep by the attacks. It was his job to plot the location of ships onto maps that were sent to the gunners, and when he got to his station he could see the Japanese planes coming in for the first of the two attacks that morning. He continued to serve his country in the Asiatic and Pacific Theater until his honorable discharge as a Corporal on July 20, 1945 at Ft. Dix, NJ. He was a life member of the Christ Lutheran Church, Little Falls and served on church council at one time. He was also a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Central New York Chapter #7 and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed camping with the "church lunch bunch" and spending time with his cousins Margaret Gressler, Gertrude Hysack and friends William Sager, Karl and Betty Wurzbacher all of Little Falls. Mr. Sivack used the GI Bill to further his education after retuning from the war to study Radio Engineering. He was employed for many years as the Radio Engineer for the former WRUN Radio Station, Utica. He was last employed for 10 years prior to his retirement by the City of Little Falls DPW. He is survived by his nephews Denis Sivack, Brooklyn and Stephen Sivack and his wife Debra, Altamont, NY and his niece Ellen J, Miller and her husband John, Manlius, several grand nieces and nephews and his good friend Kenneth Balderston, Little Falls. He was predeceased by his brothers Albert Sivack in 1996 and William Sivack in 1979. Graveside service will be held at Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills at a time an date to be announced in the spring where Military Honors will be accorded. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls. There are no calling hours. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Sivack be considered to the Christ Lutheran Church, 14 Petrie St., Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.