Robert Thomas Aiello

SAUGERTIES - Robert Thomas "Bob" Aiello, 76, of Birchwood Drive West, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday afternoon, March 16, 2025 at the Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kingston.  

Bob was born on April 13, 1948 in Saugerties, the third child of the late Michael Andrew and Susan Rose (Vigna) Aiello.  A lifetime resident of Saugerties, Bob graduated from Saugerties High School Class of 1966 and later in life earned his bachelors degree in Political Science from Empire State University.  

Bob’s love of working with people started in the late 1970’s when he opened his first business, Hair Company in uptown Kingston.  Hair Company developed a reputation back in the day as being “the place” to get the best hair cut in Kingston.  He opened a second Hair Company in Saugerties in the late 1980’s.  His passion for his work and for the people that he met continued on for fifty years.  Throughout his career, his customers were viewed as friends and shared in many happy moments with him.  

Bob was never afraid to speak his mind and always believed that he could make a positive impact in his community.  He took a leap of faith in 1995 by running for the Ulster County Legislature, and that leap of faith resulted in him serving until 2013.  Bob was many things to many people and the one common thread throughout his life was his love of people.  

Bob completed a lifelong dream of his and in 2017 published a memoir about his life growing up in Glasco, an Italian-American community.  He was immensly proud of his heritage, the family values that were taught in that community and the friendships that were formed as children that lasted a lifetime.  

Whether it be sitting in Glasco and looking at the Hudson River, a simple evening meal with his family, nurturing and restoring plants, a walk around the block, sitting in the driveway in the sun and daily conversations with friends and neighbors, Bob enjoyed the simple things in life.

Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine (Duryea) Aiello, his daughter, Kara Marie and her husband Thomas Stevens Rudnick, and his two granddaughters, Ella Duryea Rudnick and Mae Stevens Rudnick from Norfolk, Massachusetts.  He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Hinckley of Kerhonkson, his brother Michael Andrew Aiello, Jr. and his wife Carol of Glasco, and his brother-in-law Edward Alan Duryea and his partner Daniel Westfield of Deerfield Beach, Florida.  Bob is also survived by seven nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins.  

Friends and family will be received Sunday, March 23rd from 3:00pm-7:00pm at the Seamon Wilsey Funeral Home, corner of John and Lafeyette Street in Saugerties.  His funeral service will form on Monday, March 24th at 9:15 am at the funeral home thence to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Glasco where at 10:00am a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered.  Burial will follow in the Blue Mountain Cemetery.  

Bob’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Unit A2.  Your love, kindness and compassion for Bob and his family will never be forgotten.

“There are only two rules for being successful. One, figure out exactly what you want to do, and two, do it…”  Mario Cuomo

Expressions of condolences may be shared with the family on Bob's Tribute Wall at Seamon Wilsey Funeral Home.com

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