Robert E. Schebe, who ran a metal production business, died Nov. 30, 2008. He would have celebrated his 83rd birthday on Dec. 10.

"He was a real family man," said his wife of 58-years June who added that he sailed in his spare time. "He loved to just spend his time with us or fix things around the house. He was always improving it, in fact he put in all the new windows himself."

Mr. Schebe was born in Freeport into a family who owned and operated boatyards and spent his life fishing, crabbing and clamming in the Great South Bay. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Air Cadet, a trained pilot.

He lived in Seaford for more than ten years before moving to West Islip. He lived there for 47 years.

He was the owner and operator of Henry Roessle & Son in Hicksville. According to June, he was a gifted artist who crafted gold chalices for churches and worked on spacecrafts that landed on the moon. In 1984, he retired and sold the business to Long Island Metal, where his son, Norman, still works today.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Schebe leaves behind his children, Beverly Maturro and her husband Chris, Barbara Barrett, Nancy and Norman and his wife Maryann. His grandson Kevin Barrett and his siblings, Ruth Vetter and Harold also survive him.

Mr. Schebe reposed at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, West Islip, on Dec. 3, 2008. A Funeral Service was held Dec. 4, 2008 at the funeral home followed by private cremation.

Donations in Mr. Schebe's name can be sent to Good Shepherd Hospice, 245 Old Country Road, Melville, New York 11747.