Obituary of Robert S. Bargar

Robert Sellstrom Bargar of 14 Owana Way, Lakewood, NY, formerly of 304 Arlington Avenue, Jamestown, NY died February 15, 2012 at his home in Naples, Florida. He was 92. Robert Bargar was born on August 8, 1919 in Jamestown, the son of Crawford Nathaniel and May Sellstrom Bargar. Mr. Bargar was married to the former Je'Anne Griffin of Kings Mountain, NC on April 9, 1949. In 2006, Bob and Je'Anne celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. A graduate of Jamestown High School, he attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, graduating in 1941. He attended the University of Pennsylvania Engineering School and received a post-graduate certificate in Production Engineering under the sponsorship of the United States office of Production Engineering. In World War II, Mr. Bargar served on the submarine tender U.S.S. Fulton in the Pacific Theater and then spent two years in Sydney, Australia as the Communications Officer on the United States Naval Base Sydney, Service Forces, Southwest Pacific. He completed his Naval Duty at the United States Naval Supply Annex, Rough and Ready Island, Stockton, California. He achieved the rank Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve. Employed for 40 years by the S.M. Flickinger Company, a wholesale food distributor, he succeeded his father as the Resident Vice-President and General Manager. He retired in 1982 as President of the Jamestown Division. He also served 25 years as a director of the company. During his tenure with the grocery industry, he played an active role in the transition of grocery retailing from many neighborhood Red & White stores to large Super Duper stores in a tri-state area served by the Jamestown Division of Flickingers. He originated the name "Super Duper" and he built the chain's first store on Fluvanna Avenue. This store became the foundation of a new investment company named Fluvanna Realty Corporation adding an additional Super Duper on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood. As an active real estate developer, he was also a partner in building the East Erie Super Duper in Erie, Pennsylvania. Bargar's business career included being a Director of the Bank of Jamestown, Bankers Trust Company of WNY and Key Bank of WNY. He retired from his banking affiliations as Director Emeritus of Key Bank, N.A., headquartered in Albany, New York. He also served as a founder and Director of the Jamestown Morning Star Newspaper, a Director of Dahlstrom Manufacturing Company, Empire Worsted Mills, Toad Hollow Properties, Clark Laboratories, DeBell Vending Company and Jamestown Electroplating Company. In 1961, Mr. Bargar built the first Jamesway Discount Department Store in Lakewood, New York, which later grew to be a chain of 10 stores in the Northeastern United States. He served as a Jamesway director for 20 years. Mr. Bargar was Chairman of the Board of the Fluvanna Realty Corporation, a partner in the JBC Company and partner in North Harmony Ventures, Inc. Bargar was a Past President of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairman of the Southern Chautauqua County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also served as a Trustee of the Lake View Cemetery Association, Director of the Fenton Historical Society, a Director of the Chautauqua County Fair Association and a 23 year member of the Jamestown Rotary Club. During the mayoral term of Carl F. Sanford in Jamestown, he was the first President of the Jamestown Civic Auto Ramps, a private not-for-profit organization which was organized by downtown Jamestown banks, business establishments and real estate owners to build three ramped parking facilities. In 1979 he was named Man of the Year by the Jamestown Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. A summer resident of Chautauqua Institution, Mr. Bargar served eight years as a Chautauqua Trustee and for 18 years as a Director of the Chautauqua Foundation. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, an elder and past Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Bargar was a director and President of the Sportmen's Club, a director of the Town Club of Jamestown and a founder and past director of the Jamestown Skeet and Trap Club. He balanced life by sharing his love of nature with family and friends. Family traditions included picnics and walks at the family farm Toadhollow and celebrating Opening Day of bass season followed by a Sportsmen's Club breakfast with close friends and relatives. For 45 years he enjoyed annual trips to unique fishing locations to sharpen his Pitch and Gin Rummy skills. His survivors include his four children, Nancy Gay Bargar and David Griffin Bargar (Kellie) of Lakewood, NY; Alison Bargar Churchill (Jay) of Quigley Park, NY and Douglas Crawford Bargar of Jamestown; six grandchildren: John Robert Churchill (Susan), Charles David Churchill, Matthew William Churchill, Nathaniel Griffin Bargar, Kristen Elizabeth Bargar and William Elliott Bargar; and a great-granddaughter Caroline Churchill. He was preceded in death by his wife, Je'Anne Griffin Bargar in September 2006 and a brother, Crawford "Billy" Sellstrom Bargar in February 1929. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012 in the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown. The Rev. Thomas A. Sweet will officiate. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 8th in the Lind Funeral Home, and in Fellowship Hall of the church following the service Friday, March 9th. Additionally, a summer memorial service will be held at Chautauqua Institution to be announced by the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701; the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, 509 Prendergast Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to the charity of one's choice.