Robert W. Coty

Robert William Coty, 82, passed away in Saginaw on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, after a brief illness.

Bob was born to William and Theresa (Thom) Coty in Saginaw on December 20, 1936. He attended Saginaw area parochial and public schools. Bob became a poet later in life and many of his pieces focus on his adventures and misadventures growing up on Warren Avenue with his 15 siblings.

Bob worked for Peet Packing Company in Chesaning for 25 years. He was a proud member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and had served as the local organization’s treasurer and president.

A kind and compassionate soul, Bob had great empathy for those in need and was known for chauffeuring anyone in need of a ride and giving his last dollars to strangers. In addition to being a prolific poet, he enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and participating in recreation league softball and basketball. He closely followed the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan football. A voracious reader, he bought four newspapers a day for most of life and memorized the annual Who’s Who in Baseball from cover to cover.

Bob will be missed by his children, Carol (Aaron) Somers of Henderson, Sarah (Robert) Boling of Bellevue, Leslie Coty of Detroit, and John Coty and Brian Coty, both of Saginaw; grandchildren, Holli Goodrich, Jack and Lily Somers, and Stewart and Pierce Boling; great-granddaughter Aidabelle Midcalf; former wife, Janice Coty; siblings, Marjorie Jerome, Marilyn (Dan) de la Osa, Beverly Ackerman, James Coty, Edward (Joy) Coty, Judith Christ, Helen (Terry Marcoux) Weiss, Thom Glaza, and Barbara (Bruce) Anthenat; sister-in-law, Betty Gewirtz; brother-in-law, Jack (Barb) Nietling; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Melissa Goodrich, his siblings, Phyllis Baker, Shirley Meibeyer, Arlene Holtman, Janet Doepker, Joseph Glaza, and Mary Lipar; sisters-in-law, Yvonne Angst and Carole Mayhew; and brothers-in-law, Art Nietling, Floyd Nietling, and Don Nietling.

Those wishing to honor Bob’s memory may do so by donating to Power of Dad of Saginaw (donation details at www.powerofdad.org).

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held privately in Saginaw on September 22, 2019. For further information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277.