Robert Scanlon

Robert, beloved father, grandfather, friend, builder, seeker, and helper-of-all,
died on October 30 surrounded by family. His life was not an easy one, but it
lived fully, fiercely, and always on his own terms.
The youngest of six siblings born into a family of Irish immigrants, his
parents Mathew & Helen Scanlon (Smith) made their way from Vaudeville to
the prize fighting ring to Hollywood. Raised in Hell’s Kitchen, he learned early
what it meant to work, to hustle, and to survive. He grew up mostly on his
own, hardened by circumstance but softened again and again by his
curiosity, humor, and enormous heart.
In his late teens, he married Marguerite (Pacifico) and became a father to
Doreen and Robert Jr. In his searching years, he turned toward the East,
studying yoga & philosophy and traveled to India. He returned with a small
bag of stones, including a fire opal that a fortune teller said would one day
bring him a dark-haired woman, his wife of 55 years Judith with whom he
had Satya and Nara Anemone (La). Any and all who knew Robert would
agree that he was a colorful person, unapologetically colorful. When he
arrived in Phoenicia with Judith from NYC in 1969, his long auburn hair and
red Irish setter definitely caught people’s attention.
Whether by magic or destiny, life had a way of circling back — love, children,
and more adventures found him that were always reflected in the songs he
sang as he played his guitar. Many lives in one lifetime: running a health food
store before it was acceptable, raising kids in a cabin in the woods beside the
Pantherkill, rekindling woodworking skills with friends from Rainbow farm,
playing chess or racquetball, helping anyone who showed up at his door.
He spent years offering his hands and heart to the work of project manager
for the Karma Triayana Dharmachakra Tibetan monastery building shrines in
Woodstock as well as their retreat Karme Ling in Delhi. Whether working
with Romosa Builders with Satya, Mo, and La, or jumping in on any project
that needed muscle or know-how, he stayed active, always moving, always
helping, always building something — our very homes, kitchens and tables, a
wall, a garden, a memory.
Later in life, he found his greatest joy in being a grandfather. The man who
once wandered the world became the steady center for a new generation.

He could be stubborn, sharp, or storm-weathered — but people loved him
because beneath all that was a man who would give you the shirt off his
back, no questions asked. He was imperfect. He was unforgettable. He was
deeply loved. And he will be missed more than words can say.
He is survived by his wife Judith Bromley, his daughter Doreen Imbessi and
her husband Jim & Doreen’s brother Michael, his son Satya Scanlon and his
wife Amy (Konrad), his daughter Nara Scanlon and her husband Tony Meade,
grandsons Kenyon Meade & his wife Charli (Brown), Jordan Meade, Tyson
Meade, Jackson Scanlon and Maxwell Scanlon, daughter-in-law Brenda
Scanlon, nephews T.J. & Richie Scanlon & their respective families, nieces Lori
Marino and Kathleen Scanlon Desio & her family, as well as countless friends,
co-workers, monastery family, people who supported him in declining health
and those whose lives were made better just by knowing him. He was
predeceased by first wife Marguerite in 2008 and his son Robert Junior in
2023.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 29 from 2 pm to 5
pm at his woodshop/ home, 392 Beaverkill Rd Olivebridge, NY.
In his honor, please do something he would have done: help someone
without being asked, sit quietly in nature, build something with your hands,
or tell a story or sing a song that makes someone laugh. In lieu of flowers,
donations to Hudson Valley Hospice, or the Phoenicia United Methodist 29 Church St Phoenicia with “Good Company Club” in the memo portion of the check. You are welcomed to share a special memory, photo, or condolence with the family on Robert's Tribute Wall at www.gormleyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Scanlon, please visit our floral store.