Robert Milne

THE SERVICE DATE IS SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2023

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert Peter Milne, age 90, formerly of Hurley, NY, died peacefully on July 27, 2023 at his home in Raleigh, NC.

Robert was born on March 25, 1933 in Yonkers, NY, son of the late Arthur J. and Margaret (née Wekerle) Milne. He grew up in Newark, NJ with three siblings, Arthur “Sonny,” Mary, and William “Bill.” Robert graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1951 where friends and even yearbook editors documented his ability to “slide a mean bow over the violin.” He later served in the U.S. Army, based in Korea from 1954-55. In March of 1956 he married Mary Louise McGuckin. The couple had five children, Jane, David, Judy, Brian, and Kevin Milne. They suffered the devastating loss of baby Brian, just two months old, in 1961 but through faith and love, found strength and purpose to carry on. The family lived in Hurley, NY for nearly 20 years during which time Robert instilled in all his children, a love of nature and the outdoors as well as of the arts, in particular of classical music, which always echoed through the home.

Robert became a prolific classical violinist, a passion that began early in life, developed throughout, and led to a years-long stint with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra for which he played 2nd Violin. His music evoked great emotion and brought joy to everyone lucky enough to experience it. He worked for IBM for most of his career in both Kingston and Raleigh and retired after 31 years, in 1987. He and Mary Lou agreed to an amicable divorce at the same time, and each began a new chapter. Robert remarried in 1995, bringing Millie (née Gentle) Plemmons of King, NC into the hearts of his family. Robert and Millie spent their golden years traveling the U.S., splitting their time between visits to America’s national parks and historic sites and visits with their loving families, together enjoying many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his former wife, Mary Lou (McGuckin) Fonzo; by one brother, Bill Milne; by two daughters, Jane Klein of Santa Monica, CA and Judy Thornton of Califon, NJ; by two sons, David Milne of Honolulu, HI and Kevin Milne, of Raleigh, NC; and by his children’s spouses, their children and grandchildren. He, and the lovely symphony that was his life, will live on in our hearts forever.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday October 14, 2023 at St. Joseph's RC Church, 242 Wall St., Kingston, NY 12401. Interment will follow at the Hurley Cemetery, Hurley, NY.

For those who wish, and in lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the  Nature Conservancy (Nature Conservancy Memorial Gifts, www.nature.org/en-us/), or to the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra (www.raleighsymphony.org/support).

A tribute wall for Robert can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where we invite you to leave memories and thoughts for his family.