Robert J. Liffland, 69, a life-time resident of Pawling, NY went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 2025 at the Paramount at Somers Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, surrounded by his family, after a long and difficult illness. The Paramount went above and beyond to take care of him and the family is forever grateful to the staff.
The son of the late Sidney and Mary “Dolly” (Cavaleri) Liffland, Rob was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on October 22, 1955. He attended Pawling schools and graduated from Pawling High School. He went on to Delhi and graduated in 1974 with a vocational certificate in Plumbing, Heating and Pipefitting. He completed a 4-year apprenticeship training program with Local 201 in Poughkeepsie as a plumber and pipefitter.
On September 5, 1981, he married Kelly Roberts, and they have been married for 43 years, raising their four children.
Rob was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He adored his children and grandchildren. He loved the Lord and sharing the word of God with all. He served as a deacon at Journey of Hope Fellowship church. We were truly blessed to have him in our lives.
Rob loved the town he grew up in, Pawling. He wanted to give back and serve his community. He was a Village trustee for 7 years and served as the Mayor of Pawling for 18 years. Among many things that Rob did in this capacity, one of his favorite privileges was marrying people in the Village when asked to do so.
Rob founded and managed two very successful plumbing & heating companies for over 30 years. Liffland Mechanical and Fountain Plumbing & Heating, Inc. If an emergency call came in, Rob would always go. It could be in the middle of the night or holiday; he always wanted his customers to have heat or water. To say he was a hard worker is an understatement.
He had such a big heart and the biggest smile! He truly enjoyed helping people in any way he could, whether it was his family, the people of the community, church or in his service as a plumber & HVAC specialist. Talking with people gave him so much joy and he made many friends along the way.
Most important to him was his family. He worked tirelessly to provide for them and even after the longest days or weeks, he would take his kids to practices, games, and competitions. Rob was involved with Pawling Little League and Youth Hockey, coaching and cheering on. He simply loved to spend time with his wife and kids as much as possible.
Rob was so brave and endured so much during his long battle with Lyme disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Thank you to all those that encouraged and prayed for him and those that took him for a drive or lunch. We will miss him terribly, but we know he is in a much better place.
Rob is survived by his loving wife, Kelly; son Robert S. Liffland and girlfriend Vittoria Albanese of Watertown, CT; daughters Charlotte Liffland Ross and husband Jefferson and granddaughters Stella and Shelby, Renee Liffland DelBene and husband Colby and grandsons Miles and Landon of Lynchburg, VA, and Veronica Liffland Fortugno and husband Anthony of Pawling; brothers Joseph, Michael, and Sidney Liffland; sisters Mary Cummings, Janice Peters, Kay Liffland, and Lori Daddona; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Horn & Thomes, Inc Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Pawling Central Baptist Church, 38 East Main Street, Pawling. Burial will follow in Pawling Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rob can be made to LBDA. The Lewy Body Dementia Association online at lbda.org.
