Robert J Betterton

Robert John Betterton Robert “Bob” Betterton, 89, died peacefully in his sleep on November 1, 2019. He was the proud son of the late Adrian and Maybelle Betterton of Syracuse, NY. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Mona (McDermott) Betterton, sister Mary Pat (Robert) Daley, brother-in-law Tom Swan, and sister-in-law MaryGene (McDermott) Swan. Surviving him are daughter Maryellen (Thomas P.) Keating of Acworth, GA; sons Robert J. Betterton II of Fairport, NY; James M. (Regina) Betterton of Moorpark, CA; granddaughters Shannon (Ian) Lindsay, Megan (David) Carson, Chelsea Betterton, Natalie (Kevin) Coffey, and Shelby Betterton (Joseph Manzella); grandsons Thomas (Amy) Keating, Jr., James (Loni) Betterton II, Michael (Kaitlyn) Betterton, and Zachary Betterton; He is also survived by several great grandchildren, whom he called “The Fabulous Fifteen”: Adrian Lindsay, Jackson Keating, Connor Lindsay, Ryan Olivia Keating, Greyson Keating, Alexander Lindsay, Caitlín Carson, Duncan Lindsay, Rocco Betterton, Aislinn Carson, David Carson, Ciará Carson, Theodore Manzella, Noah Betterton, and Rome Betterton. He had two nieces, five nephews, many grand nieces and nephews and hundreds of friends. Born in 1930 in Syracuse, Bob graduated from Christian Brother’s Academy in 1948 and was among the second graduating class of LeMoyne College in 1952. He earned an MFA from Fordham University and an MBA from Syracuse University. He married Mona in June of 1954. Bob had four careers: Naval officer, business executive, entrepreneur, and author. His naval service earned him the National Defense Service Medal. He was transferred to retired reserve as of January 1970 with the grade of Lieutenant Commander. In the business world, Bob was an executive at both General Electric and the Xerox Corporation. As an entrepreneur, he founded the sports marketing company RJB Sports Management, later called Sports For Business, organizing corporate golf outings and events all over the country. Bob was instrumental in bringing the Rochester LGPA Tournament to Locust Hill Country Club and worked with the tournament for many years. At 75 years old, Bob fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming an author. He published 4 books between the ages of 75 and 86 years old. Of his four books, three address his profound faith as a practicing Catholic and his deep desire for reform in the Catholic Church: The Compliant, Curious, and Critical Catholic, and Saving the Catholic Church While Sitting in a Pew, and 2020 Vision: The Plot to Change the Catholic Church, his only work of fiction. In addition to his books, Bob turned his activism into action creating an organization called Accelerating Catholic Church Reform, Inc. and publishing the on-line quarterly magazine, “OMG! A Journal of Religion & Culture.” In 2008, Bob published The Familiar Stranger Who Lives in Our Home, a book that chronicled his journey as caregiver for wife Mona during her 16-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bob was an active parishioner of St. Louis Church in Pittsford for over 50 years. He was a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, and a well-known storyteller. He was a loving son, brother, brother-in-law, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend to all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at LeMoyne College in July 2020 with details to follow. Gifts in Bob's memory can be made to Le Moyne College to support student financial aid online at https://www.lemoyne.edu/Give or via mail at LeMoyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214, Attn: Advancement (Robert J. Betterton).