Robert 'Sox' Howard Wilcox

Saratoga Springs - Robert ‘Sox’ Howard Wilcox, 87, died Friday, January 15, 2021, at his residence, after a long battle with asbestosis caused by his service in the Navy.

Born at Leonard Hospital in Troy, he was son of the late John Howard Wilcox and Marguerite Hubbard Wilcox, and husband of 60 years of Jean (Lawrence) Wilcox. Bob was raised in Troy, but had lived in Saratoga Springs since 1970. He attended Knickerbocker Junior High School and Troy High School, and earned his Associate degree from Hudson Valley Technical Institute. 

Bob was a Highway Engineer employed for 34 years by the New York State Department of Transportation, where he made many life long friends before retiring in 1991. He was also a proud Navy veteran who served during the Korean War.

He was a lifelong member of the Memorial Methodist Church and Hope United Methodist Church and a member of VFW Post 420, American Legion-Adirondack Post 70, Highway Engineers and the Tin Can Sailors.

 A storyteller who often regaled friends and family with tales of his exploits, Bob was also known for cracking up his loved ones with an endless supply of corny jokes. As a young man he plied his skills with a pool cue around his favorite Rensselaer County haunts. He was also at home in the outdoors: he loved hiking in the Adirondack High Peaks and Lake George region with his son Steve. As well, he and Jean enjoyed spending time at their Lake Nancy camp, which they took great pride in building with their own hands. 

In his retirement, Bob was extremely generous with his time, helping to care for friends and family in need. Bob and his daughter, Linda, shared a special bond. He also particularly relished the time he spent with his granddaughter, Eve, and looked forward to her arrival every afternoon on the school bus when he would often play a prank or concoct some way to make her laugh. He also enjoyed simple pleasures like going out to eat, hunting for treasure at garage sales, cheering on the New York Giants, and regularly traveling to coastal Maine, Florida and Indiana. 

His family will remember Bob as a loving and thoughtful patriarch who never lost the boyish twinkle in his eye and was eager to share a friendly word with neighbors and those he encountered in the community.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Jean, include his children, Steven John (Susan Mehalick) Wilcox, Saratoga and Linda Jean Wilcox, Saratoga; his granddaughter and joy of his life, Eve Persephone Mehalick Wilcox; his siblings, Jean (late George) Loucks and John E. (Sharon Bjurman) Wilcox; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Brian Keith Wilcox

Funeral service will be private at the wishes of the family because of COVID-19.

Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy.

Kindly omit flowers; contributions may be made in memory of Robert Howard Wilcox to the Community Hospice (Gift Processing Center) 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208; Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or the Adirondack Mountain Club, P.O. Box 867 1002 Adirondack Loj Road Lake Placid, NY 12946-0867.

View the live funeral service on Wednesday at 10AM at https://www.facebook.com/brycefuneralhomeinc

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