Obituary
Guest Book
The Very Reverend Father Robert (Bob) James Bethoney passed away peacefully at the age of 73 on June 17, 2014. He was born March 10, 1941 in Norwood, MA, where he lived for 53 years before moving to El Paso, TX in 1994. Bob was captain of his high school football team and student council president. He attended Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, MA before receiving his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University in New York City and later his Master's Degree from Harvard University in Boston. Bob was an avid football player and wrestler during his college years.
He taught high school history for two years in Norwood, MA before moving on to a career in the financial world in Boston and Wall Street in New York City. Bob was "Man of the Year" at EF Hutton, where he worked for 15 years before starting his own company, Eden Financial. Eden was purchased by Paine Webber, where Bob spent the last 10 years of his business career. It was at Paine Webber where Bob became President of the Estate Planning and Insurance Services Division. After leaving Paine Webber Bob devoted his life to the church, and he was ordained an Antiochian Orthodox Priest in 1998. Bob served the parish of St. George Orthodox Church in El Paso until his death. Even though he left Wall Street, he was never forgotten for all his work there.
Bob was a man of many interests and hobbies. He loved reading, writing, sailing, fishing, traveling, food, history, all New England sports, his church, his friends and most of all his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samera and James Bethoney. Bob is survived by his adoring wife of 31 years, Elizabeth Mahfood Bethoney, daughter Alexis Bethoney Gerena (German), granddaughter Giselle Mia, and a large extended family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with Trisagion Service at 7:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 120 N. Festival Dr., officiated by Very Rev. Fr. Jehad Michael and Rev. Fr. George Al-Dehneh. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery, 4900 McNutt Rd., Santa Teresa, NM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 120 N. Festival Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 16, 2014
Joan Fairbanks Lipp
I was very sad to hear of Bob' s passing. We were both members of the Class of 1959 at Norwood High School and I have many wonderful memories of those years. Bob had a great sense of fun and a wonderful smile. May he rest in peace.
June 30, 2014
Richard Barron
So glad I had the opportunity to talk to Bob a week or so before he passed. A wonderful man who watched out for me at PaineWebber like an older brother. May his memory be a blessing.
June 26, 2014
My condolences to the family. A loved one loss can grieve the heart, therefore treasure the special times spent with Robert-draw strength from the love of family and friends-and may God loving-kindness comfort you through this difficult time.
~Psalm 119:50,76
June 25, 2014
Joan Haley
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing, he was a dear childhood friend and classmate of mine. May he rest in peace.
Joan Yelapi Haley
June 25, 2014
Virginia Ceruti
Saddened by the passing of this kind man. I am keeping you all in my prayers.
June 22, 2014
Brad Kolstoe
Elizabeth & Alexis.......you will not remember me ....my name is Brad Kolstoe I live in Colorado and I worked for Bob at PWJ in the 90's.
It is said that when all is done at least we have our memories. But our time together created more than just memories. Memories are of the past but Bob created futures. He gathered some of the most talented people whom I have ever had the opportunity to work with.....and he made us better. He challenged us daily and as I one time introduced him " every day with Bob was a challenge"...and we loved it. As is life...looking back our time together was short...BUT....at least it was meaningful and to me THAT is what I will cherish about my time with Bob. It meant something then, it still does today and I know it will tomorrow.. God bless you and your family and may God bless Bob.
June 20, 2014
Lorri Halow
It's so hard to say "Good bye until we meet again" to your friend. Life has a way of healing and giving you strength to continue on. You have to believe that God's plan is beautiful and his love for each of us is a gift to us to help us in our sorrow. So, Bob, rest now. And know how much you will be missed. Love you! Lorri & Joe
June 19, 2014
Tony Safi
Such a fine man of God! May he rest in peace eternally in the arms of the Lord.
June 19, 2014
tom gugliotta
RIP Big Bob!!! Tom Gugliotta
June 19, 2014
Mary Deeb
We knew you as a young boy and as a man. You will be revered and missed. We were so sorry to hear of your passing. Our heartfelt thoughts to your family.
June 19, 2014
Elizabeth & Andres Delgado
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you and your family. He will always live in our hearts and prayers.
June 19, 2014
Greg and Elisa Martin
A very good man has been called home. Bob and Elizabeth were both caring and fun as neighbors, and Bob was clearly in love with the Lord as well as his family. We are sorry for your loss, Elizabeth even as we celebrate his life.
June 19, 2014
George T Bolis
May his memory be eternal. Bob was a great friend with a smile that would light up the dullest of rooms. Bob was my head altar boy who trained me to follow in his footsteps to assist Fr Niffon. Bob was my mentor assisting me to earn the Alpha Omega, highest Orthodox award for boy scouts. Bob helped me in so many ways keeping my head straight as a teenager when I could have gone the wrong way in life.
God Bless you Liz and Alexis and my deepest condolences for your loss. May his Memory Be Eternal and thank you for sharing your husband and dad with those who lives he touched.
June 19, 2014
Paul Pazareskis
You meant so much to me, you were a mentor, my extended brother and most importantly my friend. I have so many memories of what you brought to me and my family, rest in peace. God bless Elizabeth, Alexis, German & Giselle may you always be with them.
June 19, 2014
GERMAN ANDRES GERENA
DESDE COLOMBIA ESTAMOS DE CORAZÓN CON LA FAMILIA BETHONEY, QUE EL ALTISIMO DERRAME BENDICIONES SOBRE SU FAMILIA.
CON APRECIO
June 19, 2014
ALEXIS BETHONEY
LA FAMILIA RESTREPO - PADILLA DE COLOMBIA LES ENVIA UN SENTIDO MENSAJE DE CONDOLENCIA POR EL FALLECIMIENTON DEL SEÑOR BETHONEY, QUE EL SEÑOR LO TENGA EN SU ETERNA GLORIA.
June 19, 2014
German (Son-in-law)
Love you dearly dad!! Thank you for everything! It was the biggest pleasure to have met you and spent the time we did together!!!
June 19, 2014
Rajette
My most favorite memory of Bob is that day we lunched on Cincinnati Street when he got into his love for being a Mariner. I learned the exact meanings of Bow/Stern/Port/Starboard. We laughed about the lobster story and Nabeeha. Thank you Bob for that wonderful day and much, much more! With love, Rajette
June 19, 2014
James Salome
We lost a dear friend who will always be remembered for his kindness, intellect and humor. May God bless Elizabeth, Alexis, German, his granddaughter and his grandson to arrive soon. Jimmy and Diane Salome
June 18, 2014
Molly Pazareskis
We love you and miss you soo much Bob. You ment a lot to our family and especially to my dad. Rest in peace <3
June 18, 2014
Anessa Abraham-Kennard
My deepest heartfelt sympathy to you Liz, Alexis, & German! Your father was an impressive bright shining star that will be looking down upon all of you! Though I still wish I could undo your loss, especially during this time. May God bless & keep you!
June 18, 2014
carole costello
Mt Bethoney was my favorite teacher at NHS and my husband's favorite Football coach...even at the age of sixteen I knew what a special man he was...my condolences to his family and friends, May the LORD keep you in his arms during this time and may your memories of this wonderful man sustain you, Tom and Carole Grenon Costello
June 18, 2014
Katherine Salem
May his memory be eternal. I will never forget the compassion he gave my family and I when we needed it the most. He will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
June 18, 2014
Rose Pagan
In my life I have met many different people, but very few have made an impact and even fewer that have continued to make an impact until today. Everyone said I would never last, it would never work, but it did! You were a giant impact on Wall Street, you were a brilliant man! You were my boss, my teacher, my mentor, and my friend! You were my toughest critic, but you taught me all I needed to know! No one else gave me a chance, but you did! I thank you, Bob Bethoney, for having such an impact on my life! You will be missed.....
June 18, 2014
Elie Khouri
May his memory be eternal
Elie Khouri
St. Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church, Brisbane - Australia
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