Obituary of Clifford Gary Robertson

BALDWINSVILLE- Clifford Gary Robertson left this life on December 10, 2023. Gary was a lifelong outdoorsman, teacher, learner, and friend. Gary was born in Napa, California where he spent his young life on his parents', Leilia (Beggs) and Merton E. Robertson's horse farm. He attended Napa Junior College and later, San Francisco State University. In 1965, Gary was drafted into the US Army where he served in Germany and a burgeoning conflict in Vietnam. Upon returning to the US in 1966, Gary attended the University of Oregon where he met his future wife, Linda (Lesser) Robertson. Gary taught special education in the late 1960s and early 1970s, becoming a lifelong advocate for those with differing abilities. Gary taught History, English, Talented and Gifted programs, and Outdoor Education in Oregon for many years before moving to Wichita, Kansas in the early 1980s where he continued to teach and pursued a degree in school administration. Gary was an advocate for children his entire life, a gifted teacher, and respected administrator. His advocacy extended beyond the classroom to his work with his Union both as a teacher and administrator. In the mid-1980s, Gary moved to the Finger Lakes area and became an Associate Principal at Auburn High School, and later Principal at Genesee Elementary School. Gary's commitment to education was surpassed only by his love of the outdoors. He spent many summers sailing in Puget Sound with his father-in-law, camping in the mountains and Coast of Oregon with his family, and teaching community groups how to sail and canoe. Later in life, many trips were made to the Adirondacks with his beloved grandchildren, Rebekah Rose-Leo, and Miriam Leo. Gary and his longtime partner, Joyce Sullivan, traveled extensively in later years. Gary and Joyce resided in Naples, Florida where they both played golf and spent time on the beach. They loved having their children and grandchildren visit. Gary was an important part of Joyce's family, and he loved spending time with them in Florida and Upstate New York. Gary was a loving husband, father, grandfather, partner, and friend to many. He is survived by his partner Joyce Sullivan, his daughter, Baschki Robertson, her partner, Coert Bonthius, his granddaughters, Miriam Leo, and Rebekah Rose-Leo, her husband, Andrew Rose, and former wife, Linda (Lesser) Robertson. A celebration of his life will be held on December 16th at 11:00 am at the Palmisano-Mull Funeral Home LLC 28 Genesee St., Geneva, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to Francis House in Syracuse, New York, and Hospice of Central New York.