Robert Potter

Robert ?Bob? N. Potter, 74, of Brewerton Rd. Cicero died peacefully Monday at his home with his family by his side. Bob was the son of the late Edward J. & Arlene W. Potter and was a life resident of Cicero.
He Graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1948 and Morrisville College in 1950. He was a long time member and past Trustee of the Cicero United Methodist Church. He worked the 350 acre family farm, milking 125 head of Holstein cattle and 48 head of White Faced Herefords. With Interstate 81 going through the center of the farm, the cattle were sold off at an auction. After his father passed away, Robert went to Syracuse University to get his insurance license. He took over his Dad?s insurance business which was started in 1925, ran it out of his mother?s home until 1961. With his father?s passing, Robert took his position as a Director of Cayuga County Patrons Insurance Co-op in Auburn, now known as Midstate Mutual Insurance Co. He also served as a Director of Madison Mutual Co-op Insurance Co. of Chittenango, and was currently Vice-President. Mr. Potter was instrumental in starting the Town of Cicero Fire Prevention Board in 1962 and held the Chairmanship of the board until 1992 and was still serving on the board. In 1968 an Olympic size inside swimming pool was built on Rte.11in Cicero and was known as the Aquatic Club. Mr. Potter and 4 men catered to nursery school age children, swimming lessons were given and from 1968-1974 over 38, 000 children learned to swim. For several years the Cicero and North Syracuse High Schools used the pool for their joint swim team, and during the summer the Town of Cicero used the pool for the summer community swim lessons. Along with the swimming lessons, a nursery school had to close in 1974. In 1992, with the help of 12 men, the Cicero Bank was established. Mr. Potter along with other businessmen thought it would be an asset to the community to have a ?Home Town? Bank. Cicero Bank was the first new bank in New York State to make money in the first year of business.
He was a 56 year member of the Cicero Volunteer Fire Department, four of which he served as Chief. Robert and his wife started collecting antique fire equipment and now have five motorized truck, three horse drawn fire vehicles. One of the horse drawn vehicles was an 1873 Silsby Steamer and held a respected spot in the lobby of his Insurance Office Building. They also have created a museum housing several hundred items of early fire memorabilia dating back to the early 1800?s. They are life members of Society for Apparatus in America and he was National President. Mr. Potter insuring volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps across New York State. He represented over 100 fire departments and ambulance corps. He was also Chairman of the Onondaga Fire Advisory Board, active in the Onondaga Firemen?s Assoc., Onondaga County Fire Chiefs Assoc., Past President of North Syracuse Kiwanis Club., charter member of the Cicero Chamber of Commerce.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years Harriett E., a son and daughter-in-law B. Jay & Janice Potter of Cicero, a sister Eleanor Lurcock of Cicero and a granddaughter Rhiannon.
Services will be 10:30 am Friday at the Cicero United Methodist Church, burial will be in Pine Plains Cemetery in Clay. Friends may call from 12 noon to 9 pm Thursday at the Krueger Funeral Home 2619 Brewerton Rd. Mattydale, however the family will not be available to greet visitors from 3 to 6 pm to take a short recess.
Contributions may be made to the Cicero United Methodist Church 8416 N. Main St. Cicero, NY 13039