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SLC  celebrates 100th birthday of Ogdensburg native Robert Seymour

Posted 1/22/25

CANTON -- Robert William Seymour will turn 100-years-old on Jan. 31, a feat that county legislators sought to celebrate on Jan. 2.

"I just want to share my …

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SLC  celebrates 100th birthday of Ogdensburg native Robert Seymour

Posted

Updated at 9:48 a.m. Thursday Jan. 23 to improve attribution.

CANTON -- Robert William Seymour will turn 100-years-old on Jan. 31, a feat that county legislators sought to celebrate on Jan. 2.

"I just want to share my congratulations with the Seymour family. We all grew up with the Seymour Family. If you're from Ogdensburg, you likely know someone from the Seymour family. Thank you for coming, this is very special," Chairman David Forsythe said.

"Born in Ogdensburg in 1925, Seymour attended St. Mary's Academy before beginning work at the T.I. O'Connor Tobacco Company as a store clerk until he turned 18," a resolution prepared by St. Lawrence County Historian Nancy LaFaver said.

With the outbreak of World War II, many men and women from the North Country enlisted in the armed forces, something Seymour did as he joined the Navy on September 22, 1943, the resolution said.

During his time in the armed services, Seymour was assigned to the destroyer USS Guest as a radioman third class, the resolution said. He saw action in the Pacific Theater of the war, taking part in operations at the Aleutian Island, the Palau Islands, the Battle of Okinawa, the Bismark Archipelago, the Mariannas, the Solomon Islands, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Occupation of (Northern) Japan, according to LaFaver's report.

Seymour was also involved in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and part of famous Task Force-58 which broke up the Japanese attempt to attack invasion forces of the Mariannas, according to the resolution.

The resolution said that for his service, he received the American Theatre Medal for his service aboard the USS Guest, saw action during the Soloman Island Campaign, and was awarded the Victory Medal for serving at the invasion of Iwo Jima.

He was also  awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal 3 stars commendation for being involved in three conflicts in the Pacific Theater during WWII, LaFaver's report said.

While his exploits in the service were extensive, Seymour had the opportunity to take a short leave from the Navy during the war, during which time he met his future wife, Alice Clara Sequin, according to the county report.

They were married on January 10, 1946.

Shortly thereafter, Seymour was honorably discharged from the Navy on April 20, 1946, returning to Ogdensburg. He later attended Canton Agricultural College and working at Armstrong Plumbing as a heating and plumbing installation and repairman, the document said.

According to the county report, he eventually worked at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center “Tinsmith”/Building Maintenance for over thirty years, in a role that was multifaceted and required him to do roofing, plumbing, heating and carpentry work.

Over the years,  he and Clara raised fourteen children: Paul, Joseph, Mary, Barbara, Lawrence, James, Robert, John, Rose, Jean, Ann, Susan, Rita, and Andrew, and were blessed with thirty-two grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and two  great, great-grandchildren, the resolution said..

"A devoted member of St. Mary's Cathedral, Seymour was the recipient of the "Man of the Year" award, was a member of and served as a volunteer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Nocturnal Adoration Society. He also is a lifetime member of the VFW," LaFaver's report said.

The historian's report said Seymour had a love of the outdoors  in general with his fishing, gardening, hunting, playing horseshoes and sometimes simply sitting in the sun over the years.

"He loved the St. Lawrence River and had exceptional knowledge of it, and it was as if he had an internal GPS for knowing where to find a certain catch."

A humble, kind, funny and easy going man, Seymour is described as being "strong willed with big shoulders," Seymour is known for consistent conduct and always putting others before himself, officials said. "His honesty, integrity, trustworthiness and strong work ethic, made him a role model exhibiting a strong moral character."

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