Robert E. Jarvis

Millers Falls, and the rest of the world lost a great man in the early hours of Sunday July 25th. “Big Bad Bob” passed away peacefully at home, where he was being cared for by his family, following a period of declining health. 
Bob was born on July 30th, 1935, in Malone, New York to Francis and Evelyn(Beane) Jarvis. While Bob had an adventurous and mischievous youth, his life truly began when he met the love of his life, Anna. 
In 1966 Bob and Anna moved to Millers Falls with their six children where he became a staple in the local community. 
In his youth Bob worked many jobs, whether it was working on a farm or traveling with the carnival, Bob did whatever was needed to take care of his family. Bob found his calling early with construction and became a leader within Local 596 for over 50 years. He was a part of some massive projects starting with the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1954 through the building of the Homestead Motorsports Complex in 1995. Throughout his career in construction he was not only a born leader, but also had a natural gift for drilling and blasting. In the construction world there is no name that garners more respect, gratitude, and admiration than the name Bob Jarvis. 
Bob owned and operated Bob’s Old Red Lantern for decades. Mr. Jarvis used the Old Red Lantern to provide smiles. He sponsored countless sports teams, had floats in the parades, provided meals on all holidays for those who had nowhere else to go, and even staffed the bar during blizzards to ensure plow drivers had hot coffee. Bob developed a well-earned reputation in the community as being the person you went to if you needed help. Whether he was helping someone get a job or opening his home, his wallet, or his heart, he was always giving. Bob was a loving man to his community, but the love he had for his family was where his heart grew the biggest.
Besides his loving wife of 64 years Anna Jarvis, Bob leaves behind three daughters, Christine Willor of Erving, Becky Allen of Winchester NH, Carol Murdock of Winchester NH, a son Robert Jarvis Jr of Florida, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandson, several nieces and nephews, as well as the hundreds of people that considered him an uncle or surrogate father. Bob was predeceased by two daughters, Laura Hardy and Linda Jo Barber. 
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday 7/30 at 10am at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 84 K Street, Turners Falls.  Burial will follow at Erving Center Cemetery. There will be a small gathering of family and friends following the burial.
A calling hour will be held Friday morning from 8:30-9:30am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls.  
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com. 

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