Robert John Wilbur, a former resident of Babylon Village, and currently of Mariner Sands, Stuart, Florida, died on Monday, September 27, 2004 at age 80.

Mr. Wilbur was born in the Bronx, New York on January 5, 1924, and grew up in Hempstead, Long Island. He graduated from Hempstead High School, attended Hofstra College, and was a graduate of Brooklyn Law School.

He was a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean Conflict, and while in Korea, he flew spotter planes over enemy lines and called in artillery strikes.

Following the war, he continued a 33-year career with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York.

The last 10 years of his career were spent in Nassau, Bahamas, where he retired in 1986 as Vice President and General Manager of Morgan Guaranty of the Bahamas. From 1986 until 2000 he served as a Director of Burnham Investors Trust in New York.

Mr. Wilbur lived in Babylon from 1953 until he moved to Nassau in 1976. While in Babylon, he served as a member and Chairman of the Village’s Zoning Board from 1958 until 1966, and a Trustee from 1966 until 1976. He was a member of both the Babylon Yacht Club and Southward Ho Country Club.

Jim Grover of Babylon, a longtime friend of Mr. Wilbur’s described him as a "fine gentleman," who was also very successful in the banking industry.

When he moved away from Babylon, Mr. Wilbur made a point of getting together with his friends for dinner and golf at Southward Ho Country Club when he returned to Babylon each year said Grover. It was on one such excursion with Grover, Cliff Fellman and Bert Strandber that Mr. Wilbur got a hole in one. He reminded Grover of that achievement about ten years later on the same golf course, he said.

"Minutes after he reminded me of that, I got a hole in one," said Grover.

"He was before my time, but I know that he gave much time and effort to this Village as a member of the Zoning Board and Board of Trustees," said Mayor Ralph Scordino. "He should be recognized as a resident and public official who made a difference."

Mr. Wilbur is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lillian L. Wilbur; his son Robert Carleton Wilbur and wife Mary, of Austin, Texas; his son Jeffrey Davis Wilbur and wife Linda of Woodstock, Georgia, and Lillian’s sons Clinton Arthur Inglee and wife Paula of West Grove, Pennsylvania and David Arthur Inglee and wife Lisa of Owasso, Oklahoma. He is additionally survived by his grandchildren, Chris Wilbur, Grant Wilbur, McKenna Wilbur, Meagan Wilbur, Matthew Wilbur, Griffin Inglee, James Inglee, Rebecca Inglee, Alden Inglee, and Parker Inglee. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane C. Wilbur in 1970.

His generous ways, love of people, and sharp sense of humor will be missed in the Mariner Sands Community where he spent the last 18 years of his life, said his family.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 1, 2004 at 3 p.m., Mariner Sands Chapel, Stuart Florida with Dr. Robert Bedingfield officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Molly’s House, 430 S.E. Osceola Street, Stuart, FL 34994.