Robert F. Helmer, 82, of Whitesboro passed away on Saturday September 9, 2006 at home. He was born in Lyons Falls, New York, the son of James and Calla Simonds Helmer. He was a graduate of Lyons Falls High School. On June 22, 1946 he married the former Marion E. Finn in Whitesboro, New York. Marion passed away in 1996. He attended Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1950. While there he was a member of Phi-Delta Phi Fraternity. He began his law practice with Heber Griffith in 1950 and the firm became known as Griffith, Tibbits & Helmer. He later left to form his own law firm which later became known as Helmer, Johnson & Misiaszek. In addition to an active general practice he was Town Attorney for the Town of Whitestown for 22 years and was also its Civil Defense Director for two years prior to that. In 1972 he was appointed Hearing Officer and Commissioned representative to conduct hearings for New York State. Mr. Helmer was appointed as counsel to the New York State Legislative Committee on Environmental Conservation and served in this capacity for two years. He lectured on law for 22 years at the Utica School of Commerce and also lectured for several years for the American Institute of Banking. He was admitted to practice in Federal Court and on May 8, 1958 he also was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. For many years in the early days of the Legal Aid Society of Oneida County he served as its treasurer and was a lifelong member of the Oneida County and New York State Bar Associations. He was in the United States Navy Air Corp from 1942 to 1946 serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in the Pacific in 1943 and 1944 and participated in the 8 invasions and 21 raids. Mr. Helmer was a co-founder and builder of the Colonial Shopping Center in Whitesboro. He was a member and past Trustee of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church. He was a member of the Newman Foundation of Greater Utica and was its President in 1970 for two years. During this period he was in charge of the Building Fund Drive for the erection of the Newman Center and Chapel at Utica College and helped in securing the site at the College as well as assisting in other negotiations and contracts for its construction all resulting in the present day Newman Center at the College. Mr. Helmer participated in the political process. A lifelong Republican, he was a Whitestown Committeeman for many years. He was a member of the County Executive Committee continuously since 1955 to present. He assisted in the successful campaign of many elected officials including acting as campaign manager for Congressman Alexander Pirnie in two separate campaigns, Sheriff Archie Eastman for one campaign and Assemblyman and Senator William Sears for all of his campaigns for office except one. His other interests and civil concerns were widespread and many. He was a general campaign chairman of the Greater Utica Community Chest-United Fund in 1961 and had its first successful campaign and was subsequently made President of the present Community Chest and Planning Council and he served in this capacity in 1963 and 1964. He was President of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce for two consecutive terms 1964-66 and thereafter remained ex officio on its Board of Directors. He was also: Past President of Whitestown Chamber of Commerce, Past member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Past member of the Board of Managers Oneida County Hospital at Broadacres, Past member of the Board of directors of the Catholic Youth Organization of Greater Utica, Past President of St. Paul's Holy Name Society, Whitesboro, Past Commander of Whitestown Post American Legion and an honorary life member of that post, Past Judge Advocate of the Oneida County American Legion, Member of the Utica Council 189 Knights of Columbus, Past member of the Board of Directors of the Easter Seal Society and member of the Whitestown Kiwanis. Mr. Helmer was past member of the Fort Schuyler Club of Utica, Past member of the Yahnundasis Golf Club and Past member of the Skenandoa Club. His hobbies were boating, skiing and tennis. He was on the Board of Directors of the Central New York Abstract Corporation and member of its Executive Committee. Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Sharon A. and Robert Daviau of Cicero, New York, two sons, Robert F. Jr. and Cheryl of Whitesboro, New York, and James R. and Diana of Whitesboro, New York, a sister, Marion Belanger of San Jose, California, one aunt, Mrs. Eleanor Burkhart of Port Leydon, New York. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Lisa and John Deprez and Keith and Loree Daviau, Robert F. Helmer III, Matthew and Krystn Helmer, Allison and Helen Helmer, Nicole and Travis Helmer and Trevor Wiggins, two great grandchildren, Katherine and Ethan Daviau. He was predeceased by his wife Marion to whom he was married for over 50 years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 22, 1996. He was also predeceased by a son Bruce R. Helmer and infant son William Helmer. Mr. Helmer's funeral with Military Honors will be held Thursday September 14, 2006 at 8:45 from the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St. Utica and at 9:30 from St. Paul's Church, Whitesboro. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Wednesday from 4 ? 8. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Staff of Oxford Home Care Services and Hospice Care, Inc. Their compassion and dedication went above and beyond and for that we will be forever grateful.