Robert Auld Jr

Robert James Auld, Jr.
May 1, 1941 - November 24, 2023

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

Robert James Auld, Jr. transitioned peacefully from this life on November 24, 2023 at Cedar Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ossining, New York following a long illness. Robert was born in Harlem, NY on May 1, 1941 to Robert James Auld, Sr. and Mary Williams Auld.

On April 13, 1968, Robert married the love of his life, Laura Myers, and to this blessed union were born three children, son Brian James (who died in infancy), son Alexander Robert, and daughter Amy Marie.

Robert graduated from the New York City Public Schools and was later accepted into the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry’s 5-year apprentice program. He graduated in November of 1967, becoming one of the first African-American’s in New York City to enter the Electrical Industry as a Journeyman Electrician. As a member of the IBEW Local 3, he became active in political causes of the time and spoke on behalf of the union before the State Assembly in Albany to lobby for the voting age to be lowered from age 21 to age 18. While beginning his electrical career Robert also pursued his love of baseball as a minor league baseball player. His left-handed pitching, catching, and batting style earned him the nickname, “Lefty,” both on the field and in the neighborhood.

While working as a young electrician, Robert attended Iona College and earned a Bachelor's Degree, becoming an Electrical Engineer. He joined Forest Electric in 1983 and retired in 2002. In the evenings, he ran the apprenticeship school at the High School for the Humanities in Manhattan, co-sponsored by Empire State College and the IBEW Local 3. Before becoming the program’s administrator in 1994, he taught in the program for 24 years. He remained the administrator until falling ill in 2011.

Always one to pour into others, he took a sabbatical from his engineering career in the mid 90’s to become a full-time teacher at Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School in the Bronx where he taught the electrical trade classes and enjoyed connecting with the next generation of future electricians.

Robert treasured the life that he and Laura built together in White Plains, New York where they raised their children. He enjoyed worship and Christian fellowship as a member of Grace Episcopal Church where he made lifelong friendships.

Of all of Robert’s accomplishments, he was proudest of his family and gloated over his grandchildren as if he was the only grandparent in the world. He adored his wife and all of his free time was spent with her enjoying their life together. He enjoyed beautifying their home, landscaping, painting, sharing educational and recreational activities with his children and grandchildren, and traveling throughout the United States and to the Caribbean, often with his sister Violet and her family, with whom he was always especially close. He treasured long conversations with Laura, Amy, Brian, Alex, and Patty over Sunday brunch while listening to jazz. He was his their trusted confidant and cheerleader, and guided their family as loving and faithful
patriarch.

Robert will be remembered as a gentleman and a scholar. He never met a stranger and could never pass a person in need without giving a helping hand, a word of encouragement, or offering them an opportunity (whether employment or educational) to get on their feet.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Brian; his parents, Robert and Mary Auld; and sisters Beatrice Auld, Mary Auld, and Josephine Auld Standish.

Robert is survived by his faithful and loving wife, Laura; his son Alexander (Patricia); devoted daughter, Amy (Brian); and his grandchildren who were the apple of his eye — Cassius Christopher Owens, Kaylee Marie Owens, Cameron James Owens, and Alexa Juliette Auld. Along with his immediate family, cherishing his memory are his sisters Violet Webb, Joyce Nierman, Roberta Barber, and Monica Auld. His love and legacy will also remain dear to a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, and colleagues; in particular, his devoted niece Shelley Standish, cousins Melvin Harris and Marie Gross, and brothers-in-law Ramsey Myers and Major Myers (Joan) with whom he had a special bond.

To honor his life, donations may be made to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in the name of Robert James Auld, Jr.

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ATTENTION: As we continue to phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services amid the continuing COVID & various health concerns, we need your help in limiting/controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Wake/Visitation will first be held on Thursday, November 30th, from 3:30-6:30PM, and then finally on Friday Dec. 1st from 11:00-11:45AM all at Grace Episcopal Church with limited capacity, with Funeral Service following on Friday, December 1st at 12:00 Noon at Grace Episcopal Church. So you may come to the Church to try to attend, & feel free to wear masks. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get there, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from too much touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the days of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of Robert James Auld, Jr. entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Auld Family during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in his honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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Feel free to come to the church & cemetery wearing a mask, & social distance as much as possible. If you know you have a coronavirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19; are immune-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come to either facility. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church & cemetery, and directions of the funeral home staff, church and/or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & any policies, so as to make all go smoothly the days of the services & burial, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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As a lasting tribute, a contribution may be made in his name/memory/honor to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in the name of Robert James Auld, Jr. (copy & paste the following web address to go to his site - https://tinyurl.com/y4psezn6 ), and/or you may choose to send flowers or plant a tree in his name/memory/honor. If sending flowers, they may be delivered either on Thurs. November 30th, 2023 by/before 2:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, or on Thurs. November 30th between 2:30-3:30PM to Grace Episcopal Church. The Family Thanks You!