John Mull Robbins died peacefully Saturday, May 4 at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady with his family by his side. He was 84.
The son of the late Austen and Grace Robbins was born April 4, 1929 in the Bronx. His family moved to Saugerties in 1931, where he resided until moving to Schenectady in 2005. He was a resident at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center since June 2010. John was a graduate of Saugerties High School, class of 1947 and Albany Business College in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, John began a career in banking at Sawyer Savings Bank in Saugerties. In 1959 he became the chief executive officer of the bank, and in 1975 he became president of the bank as well. He was elected chairman of the board in 1982, and retired in 1987 after 37 years of service. After his retirement, John was employed by Rhinebeck Savings Bank as a consultant.
In 1984 John was elected trustee of the village of Saugerties, and a year later was elected mayor, where he served for four terms until retiring in 1993. In addition, he was active in many community and business organizations. He was a past president of the Hudson Valley chapter of the American Lung Association, on the board as director of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce and a former district finance chairman for Rip Van Winkle Council Boy Scouts of America. He served as a deacon in the Dutch Reformed Church in Saugerties and later in life became a member of the New Apostolic Church in Saugerties. John was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rosemary Heese Robbins. Survivors include his children, Mary Beth (Douglas) Bauer of Schenectady, John E. Robbins of Hartsdale, Norman H. (Jeanette) Robbins of Saugerties and William C. (Cindy) Robbins of Tahoma, California; and grandchildren, Douglas Bauer, Jr., Benjamin Bauer, Danielle Rush, Nicole Robbins, Gabrielle Witte, Kobe Robbins and Cole Robbins. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate and dignified care and the many acts of kindness provided by the staff of Kingsway Arms Nursing Center, including Dr. Vincent Luvera, nurse practitioners Danielle Dumrese and Marcella Rice, Mary Ellen Downs, R.N., many nurses and CNAs and all of the support staff. A funeral service to commemorate John’s life will be announced at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Kingsway Arms Nursing Center, 323 Kings Rd., Schenectady, NY, 12304.