Robert "Bob" J. Wooldridge

Robert Joseph Wooldridge

Bob Wooldridge (3/18/39) passed away peacefully December 1, 2024, in Bethlehem, PA, after spending a great day with his family. He was preceded in death by his love, Gay J. Wooldridge, and his parents, William and Frances.

Bob was born in Georgetown, District of Columbia, and is survived by his children Kelli Di Cesare and Jeff Wooldridge; his son-in-law Paul, his daughter-in-law Cindy; and his beloved grandchildren Alec, Tessa, and step grandson Zach. He is also survived by his four siblings, Billy, Christine, Mary and Liz as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

If you knew Bob, you knew he was highly skilled in the art of slate roofing. He was also intelligent, sharp of tongue and wit, honest, resourceful, and fueled by work.

But here's a little more... he loved black licorice, Big Red Gum, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Washington Redskins (Commanders), and Maryland blue crabs.  He could waterski on one ski, do a one-armed push up until just a few years ago, and it has been rumored that he helped the Platters write the lyrics for "Up On The Roof".

In 1958, he was the Golden Glove Champion Boxer  in the Light Heavyweight Division in D.C., he served in the Coast Guard, taught English at Southern Fulton with his wife prepping him every evening on the next day's curriculum, was a Manager at Sagner Sewing Company, he was featured on separate occasions in articles published in the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, he won the National Roofing Contractors Association Roofing Alliance MVP award in 2002, and over his time in living in Fulton County, he developed a deep love for farming.

But his heart always belonged to construction.

He undertook projects as small as a chicken coop at his home, to the grandest of projects such as the roof on the White House and everything in between.  Other notable projects that Bob accomplished were the slate roofs at the National Cathedral, Chapel Hall at Gallaudet University, Burning Tree Country Club, Healy Hall at Georgetown University, the Summer House at the US Capitol, President Lincolns Cottage, Junior Number 3 Fire House in Hagerstown, the slate façade at the McConnellsburg courthouse.  Bob also installed the intricate tile roof on the historical Berkeley Springs Train Depot. Bob in his early days, expanded into general construction.  He built his own house, various apartment buildings and single-family homes in and around in McConnellsburg.  His grand finale was his son's house near the Washington D.C. area, which was a lifelong dream for both. With all the accomplishments above he was still able to build some fun recreational equipment for his grandkids.

His family was the other light of his life. He had a deep love for Gay, with whom he was married to for over 50 years. He was a great provider for his family, supporter of his children, and when his grandchildren came along, ta da - he was in heaven.  He was always so proud of his grandchildren and everything they did. Every time he saw Alec, he would say, "Have you gotten taller?" and every time he saw Tessa he would call her his Pretty Girl. And there was nothing that delighted him more than being able to see his grandkids compete in sports. Win or Not Win, he was there cheering them on.

The last few years of his life, as dementia set in, his sharp edges were sanded down a bit, leaving him very content to just sit and take in the presence of those he loved.

We will always remember his hands. They were callused & rough, but we will also remember his heart which was tender and full of love for us all.

Funeral services will be held at the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc., McConnellsburg, PA at 1:30 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, with Father Fairman officiating. There will be a visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM held prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Interment will be at Damascus Christian Cemetery, Big Cove Tannery, PA.

Arrangements were made by the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc., McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.howardlsipes.com.