Whitesboro Mr. Robert A. Ciancaglini, 71, of Whitesboro, entered into eternal life after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at the Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital with his loving and devoted family at his bedside. He was born in Utica, the son of the late Florindo and Rose Dannes Ciancaglini. Bob graduated from T. R. Proctor High School in 1957 and was a recipient of a certificate of education from the Harvard Union Program. On February 17, 1962, Bob married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Fay Carlesimo in St. Agnes Church. Bob proudly served his country through his six year service in the military police of the National Guard. He was chosen to participate as a military policeman at the inauguration of the late President John F. Kennedy. He also served as a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Central New York Labor Council. Bob's career in unionism spans over fifty years. In 1956, Bob became a Local One member, working first at P&C and then at A&P as a meat cutter. In 1967, he joined Local One's staff as an organizer and union representative. In 1976, he was elected secretary treasurer, a position he held for twenty-two years. He also sat on the boards of trustees of all the Local's benefit funds. Bob always viewed his union career as a "way of life". He was respected for his ability to tutor, for his honesty, for his ability to resolve issues and for his ability to understand national and local politics and their connection to unionism. His family was the center of his life. He excelled in his love and devotion to his wife, children and grandchildren. Family was first and foremost all his life. Bob had a large contingent of friends who developed a sense of loyalty to one another and who all had the privilege of enjoying Bob's keen sense of humor. He is survived by his beloved wife, Fay; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kim and Chris Newton and Laurie Schoen; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Louanna Ciancaglini and Robert and Sandy Ciancaglini, all of Whitesboro; two sisters Virginia and Sam Zito, Whitesboro, and Rosemary and Terry Raney, of VA; his brother and sister-in-law, William (Billy) and Viola Ciancaglini, Annapolis, MD; his very special mother-in-law, who loved him as a son, Mary Carlesimo, New Hartford; his in-laws, Betty and Jim Whittaker, KY, Joyce and Ralph Squillace, Marcy, Linda and Rick Knight and Gail and John Mallozzi, both of New Hartford. He truly loved and adored his surviving grandchildren, Kristen Newton, Timothy Schoen, Brittany Newton, Lyndsay Schoen, Alexandria Newton, Robert A. Ciancaglini, Mia Ciancaglini, Jenae Ciancaglini and Julia Caincaglini. Bob is also survived by his uncles, Vincent Dannes, Albany, and Angelo and Josephine Ciancaglini of New Hartford; and several special nieces and nephews. Fay and her family acknowledge the gratitude of our "group", Sam and Virginia, Frank and Clorinda, Fran and Annette, Larry and Anabelle, Palma and Dave and all of Bob's friends that gathered for lunch at Cleats every Tuesday. The Ciancaglini family is deeply appreciative of the outstanding and compassionate care rendered to Bob by Dr. Alicia De Traglia, her staff and the angel nurses at the chemo center, and a special thank you to Dr. Dang and Dr. Chazin, Bob's long time care givers. Bob's funeral will be held on Monday at 9:00 a.m. from the Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Rd., Utica/New Hartford, and 10 a.m. at St. Mary of Mount Carmel/ Blessed Sacrament Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father James Cesta. Calling hours for family and friends will be held Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.