Robert D. Fanning, 85, of New Hartford, formerly of Waterville, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, at his home.

Born March 14, 1939, in Rome, he was the son of William H. and Katherine Dickenson Fanning. He was a graduate of Waterville High School Class of 1957.  He was a US Army veteran and member of the Army Reserves.  On May 27, 1961, he married Mary Lou Risley at the Waterville United Methodist Church.  For many years he was a lineman, installer and switchman, and retired from Verizon in 1994. Robert was a member of Sanger Lodge #129 F & AM, Valley of Utica Scottish Rite, Ziyara Shrine, Ziyara Zanies, and the Holiday Rambler RV Club.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou; his son, Steven M. (Heidi) Fanning of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Jamesville, NY; his daughter, Michele L. Tosti, and fiancé' Tom Varano of Clinton, NY; his twin sister, Mary Susan (Eugene) Langone of New Hartford, NY; and three grandchildren, Tyler M. Tosti, Robert D. (Katie) Fanning and Ryan P. Fanning; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother, David W. Fanning.

Funeral services will be Thursday, March 20 at 11 am at the Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford.   Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 19 from 4-7 pm.  Sanger Lodge will conduct Masonic Services on Wednesday at 6:45 pm. Spring interment will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Clinton.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider the Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA, 01104 in his memory.