Robert Joseph Reisinger

“I shall pass through this world as once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” —Stephen Grellet

FRANKLINVILLE — Robert Joseph Reisinger, 68, of Franklinville, and a 35-year resident of Western New York’s Southern Tier, died suddenly Friday, July 3, 2026, at his Fitch Acres home.

Born March 29, 1958, and raised in Middletown, Orange County, he was the son of the late George Francis Reisinger Jr. and Elsie Louise Tompkins Reisinger.

He returned from the Hudson Valley to “Fitch on the Five Mile” in September of 1990 with his domestic partner, Richard O. Stevenson-Reisinger, who survives; they were married Nov. 10, 2013, at Kanakadea Park in Hornell, and enjoyed 44-plus years together.

He was a graduate of Middletown Senior High School and Orange-Ulster BOCES (building construction), Class of 1976.

He was an active member of the Monhagen Hose Company, No. 1 (City of Middletown Fire Department) from June 1980 to September 1990, where he served as both second lieutenant line officer and financial secretary civil officer. He was awarded Fireman of the Year, 1982, and “Outstanding Monhagen” Award, 1989.

In December 1990, he joined the Olean Times Herald in Olean as a contract motor route driver and was promoted to the publication’s circulation department, serving a two-state, five-county region from October 1991 to November 1994, responsible for the daily newspaper’s West Olean and Bradford/Eldred, Pa. coverage area.

In 1995, Robert went on to be employed at Walmart 2159 in Olean, where he retired from direct store delivery receiving with over 29 years of service. Most recently, he joined the Remodel Team at the Olean store.

He enjoyed coffee anytime or anywhere, with Tim Hortons being his favorite. Country music concerts, line dancing and rodeo events complete with giddy-up gear of cowboy boots, hats and western apparel were his groove.

Wild bird feeding, especially hummingbirds, with his special recipe of sugar water, was a favorite activity. After gardening or mowing his lawn, he loved chillaxin’ on the covered deck in his Bliss hammock, with a cold Coors Light and, of course, chips and dip.

Surviving besides his husband are brother, Eugene F. Reisinger and his wife Jacqueline Holtzman Reisinger of Lake Ariel, Pa.; niece, Christy Leigh (Lance Jones) Jones of Frankfort, Kan.; and nephews, Christopher (Crissi Gangemi Callan) Reisinger-Callan of Old Bridge, N.J., Paul Reisinger of West Springfield, Mass., Joseph (Annie Dineen) Reisinger of Milford, Pa. and David Reisinger of Topeka, Kan.

He was predeceased by a brother, Leon C. Reisinger of Las Cruces, N.M.

There will be no visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held later at the convenience of the family and will be announced.

Please consider wishes and condolences in memory of Mr. Robert Reisinger, and his love for animals, including fur baby Frosty, to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, 2944 Route 16N, Olean, NY 14760.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca.

E-condolences may be sent to orourke-orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to Facebook.com/onofh.