Celebrating the life of
Leon J. Robey
February 08, 1929 - August 18, 2016
Savannah, GA- Leon J Robey, age 87, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2016 in Savannah, GA. He was born at the beginning of the great depression in Eastern Pennsylvania coal country, the son of Mary and John Wroblewski. He served in the U.S. Army for two years, graduated from Boston University, and then served in Korea as a Postal Officer for the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
Lee joined IBM in 1953 and in 1955 was assigned as a data processing salesperson in Peoria, Illinois. It was there that he met his bride to be, Betty Henrich, and they made their marriage vows in August of 1957. In 1969 the family moved to New Canaan, CT with their three sons – John, Paul and Matthew. The family was active in Scouting, fly-fishing, cross country skiing and golf. Lee assisted Catholic parishes in Vermont in their support of indigenous families, the infirm and aged members of their communities. Together with his spouse, Betty, as active members of St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan, they were appointed as Family Life coordinators and were active in student pro-life activities including trips to Washington, DC.
Lee’s IBM career spanned 36 years. He was active in Marketing Management, Manufacturing Application Development, and Executive Resources Management for IBM Europe. IBM also assigned Lee as Loaned Executive to outside originations. In 1975 he became Vice-President of Operation Sail ’76, the greatest Bi-Centennial event in our country. In 1977 he was appointed Program Director of Junior Achievement for Westchester County, New York.
In 1987 Lee accepted his third Loaned Executive assignment as Director of Corporate Relations for Savannah State University. He developed their Centennial Giving Program and orchestrated the University’s commitment of support to the New Futures Initiative proposal by the City of Savannah to The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States.
During his time in Savannah, Lee worked in close collaboration with his brother Ed, and co-authored “Building Better Effectiveness”; a self-study guide with time tested advices and practices for personal competency in all spheres of life – Faith, Family, Work, Personal, Friends and Community. They formed the Robey Charitable Trust, a 501c3 and funded partial scholarships for college students who completed the self-study program of the Trust.
As a member of St. James Catholic Church he participated in programs that reaffirmed the Sanctity of Life. Lee was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Skidaway Island Republican Club. He enjoyed golf and activities at the club with family and friends.
Survivors include Betty, his wife, and three sons; John W Robey of High Point NC; Paul E Robey, his wife Gordana and grandchildren Benjamin and Tara who reside in Milwaukee WI; and Matthew J Robey, his wife Pamela and grandchildren Connor and Kyle, residing in Redding, CT; all of whom are dearly loved.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 3rd , 11am at St James Catholic Church with Pastor Father Mark Ross officiating. Burial will take place in the family plot in Hazelton, PA. Donations may be made in his memory to St James Catholic Church, 8412 Whitfield Ave, Savannah, GA 31406, or The Carmelite Monastery, 11 West Back Street, Savannah, GA 31419.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Robey's passing on. My brother, Cam, and I recall riding the school bus in New Canaan with the three Robey brothers back in the late 1960s-early 1970s. They were such well-mannered, polite, considerate, kind, and gentlemanly boys. I didn't know their father was such an amazing humanitarian and man of faith. He led a truly inspirational life -- all about giving back. My prayers, thoughts, and sympathies to the family at this time. They must be proud of how very much Mr. Robey accomplished and of the enduring legacy he leaves behind.
- Dani Hutchins Mollenkamp, Piscataway, NJ
May the God of all comfort be with you and your family during this very difficult time (2Cor1:3,4) Jehovah's Witnesses -Pooler,Ga
- , ,
May Jehovah give your family the needed strength to cope with the loss of your loved one. Isaiah 65:17
- Kelly, Pooler, Ga
So very sorry to hear of Lee's passing. He was my first boss out of IBM training school under Joe Nemisi (?) in Flint. I left to join the Army and upon my return from Viet Nam, he and Joe asked me to come back to IBM. I decided instead to attend graduate school in finance. That led to a job in NYC. As fate would have it my wife and I moved to New Canaan in 1973 and we ran into Lee and you, Betty, at Mass at St. Aloysius. I know how hard a time you are going through Betty. I lost my wife of 45 yrs. 3 yrs. ago. Fond memories of Lee. An obviously good man. May he be with God in eternity. God Bless you and your family, Tom Aylward
- Tom Aylward, New Canaan, CT
Dear Matt,and Pam,Connor and Kyle,Christine and I are sorry for your loss.
- Henry and Christine Polio, Redding, CT
Dear Matt and Pam, Connor and Kyle, Please know that Andy and I are thinking of your family right now during this difficult period. Matt's father was clearly a special person who gave so very much to his family, his community, his country, and his church. Coming from a sailing community that still celebrates its historical significance during the revolutionary era, I was so interested to see that your father was part of this aspect of our bicentennial! What an amazing person. I hope you find some comfort knowing he lived such a long, full life, and had such a loving family; and that time will help ease the edges of your grief. With much love from us, Mary Ann wih Andy
- Mary Ann Carman, Redding, CT
Dear Betty and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on the passing of Lee.He was a gifted man who loved all of you so much.He will be missed.You will be in our prayers going forward.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Please know you and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. Lee was such a wonderful, accomplished man and will be dearly missed.
- Julie and Denny Coulter, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear of Mr. Robey's passing on. My brother, Cam, and I recall riding the school bus in New Canaan with the three Robey brothers back in the late 1960s-early 1970s. They were such well-mannered, polite, considerate, kind, and gentlemanly boys. I didn't know their father was such an amazing humanitarian and man of faith. He led a truly inspirational life -- all about giving back. My prayers, thoughts, and sympathies to the family at this time. They must be proud of how very much Mr. Robey accomplished and of the enduring legacy he leaves behind.
- Dani Hutchins Mollenkamp, Piscataway, NJ
May the God of all comfort be with you and your family during this very difficult time (2Cor1:3,4) Jehovah's Witnesses -Pooler,Ga
- , ,
May Jehovah give your family the needed strength to cope with the loss of your loved one. Isaiah 65:17
- Kelly, Pooler, Ga
So very sorry to hear of Lee's passing. He was my first boss out of IBM training school under Joe Nemisi (?) in Flint. I left to join the Army and upon my return from Viet Nam, he and Joe asked me to come back to IBM. I decided instead to attend graduate school in finance. That led to a job in NYC. As fate would have it my wife and I moved to New Canaan in 1973 and we ran into Lee and you, Betty, at Mass at St. Aloysius. I know how hard a time you are going through Betty. I lost my wife of 45 yrs. 3 yrs. ago. Fond memories of Lee. An obviously good man. May he be with God in eternity. God Bless you and your family, Tom Aylward
- Tom Aylward, New Canaan, CT
Dear Matt,and Pam,Connor and Kyle,Christine and I are sorry for your loss.
- Henry and Christine Polio, Redding, CT
Dear Matt and Pam, Connor and Kyle, Please know that Andy and I are thinking of your family right now during this difficult period. Matt's father was clearly a special person who gave so very much to his family, his community, his country, and his church. Coming from a sailing community that still celebrates its historical significance during the revolutionary era, I was so interested to see that your father was part of this aspect of our bicentennial! What an amazing person. I hope you find some comfort knowing he lived such a long, full life, and had such a loving family; and that time will help ease the edges of your grief. With much love from us, Mary Ann wih Andy
- Mary Ann Carman, Redding, CT
Dear Betty and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on the passing of Lee.He was a gifted man who loved all of you so much.He will be missed.You will be in our prayers going forward.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Please know you and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. Lee was such a wonderful, accomplished man and will be dearly missed.
- Julie and Denny Coulter, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
