Robert J. Tavern, age 69, passed away on Monday morning February 23, 2015 in Folts Home, Herkimer. He had the peace and comfort of his loving family at his side. Robert was born on July 17, 1945 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the son of the late Felix and Bernice Madigan Tavern. He was raised in Sault Ste. Marie where he graduated from Loretto Catholic Central High School. In 1965 Robert enlisted in the US Navy where he proudly served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and the USS Forrestal. He was honorably discharged in 1968. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, CT, graduating in 1971. On July 24, 1971 he was united in marriage with the former Sharon Moyer in St. James RC Church in Fort Plain. In that same year he and his wife moved to Richfield Springs where they have remained since. For thirty years, Robert was employed as First Cook and later Chef at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He retired from Bassett in 2001. Wanting to stay active after retirement, he spent the next four years working at the Fly Creek Cider Mill. Robert had a strong belief in God and was a member of St. Joseph the Worker RC Church, Richfield Springs. In his leisure time he was an avid model train collector, spending many hours creating and working on his N-Scale model train layout. He also enjoyed refinishing furniture, making home improvements, cooking, and volunteering at the Richfield Springs Food Bank. To all who knew him they will never forget a kind, caring and helpful man who was happiest surrounded by his friends and family, especially his cherished grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his devoted wife of forty-three years, Sharon, a son Mark and his wife Emily (Rabin) of Manhattan, a daughter Amy of Richfield Springs, a brother Felix Tavern, Jr. of MI, a sister Veronica "Gayle" and her husband James Arnold of Gross Pointe Woods, MI, and a sister Margaret and her husband Anthony Bosbous of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, two grandchildren Alison and Andrew Tavern both of Manhattan, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday May 28, 2015 at 10:00am in St. Joseph the Worker RC Church, Richfield Springs with the Reverend Bernard Osai Ampong, pastor and the Reverend Michael Guzik officiating. Following the funeral mass friends and relatives are invited to the family residence at 29 Center Street in Richfield Springs for fellowship and refreshments. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs Food Bank or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research. Envelopes will be available at the family home. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.