Robert Henry Bailey

Robert Henry Bailey, 66, of Vermilion, died Friday, August 4, 2006, suddenly from natural causes at his Kelleys Island summer home. He was born April 14, 1940 in Lorain, Ohio and has lived in Vermilion since 1946. He was the owner of Vermilion Hardware and a dealer for House-Hasson and Bostwick-Braun Company. The hardware store has been in the Bailey family for the past 60 years, which was past down to him from his parents, Henry G. Bailey and Edna G. Bailey. Robert worked at the hardware store all of his life. He was also a police officer for the City of Vermilion, retiring in 1978. Bob was a graduate of the Vermilion High School Class of 1958 and served as the Class Vice President. He was known to all as the Brick Chicken House of the Vermilion High School football team. He attended Bowling Green State University. His fellow police officers called him Beetle Bailey. Robert was a charter member and past president of the Board of Trustees for The Friends of Harbour Town 1837, dedicating 36 years of community service to the development of the historical district of Harbour Town 1837 and their buildings; Old School House, Commodore's Place, Nickel Plate Railroad Station and Old Jib's Corner. Robert built his summer home on Kelleys Island in 1987. He shared the home with his family and enjoyed weekly trips to his home away from home. Bob also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge - Harbortown #125, Vermilion Police Association, National Rifle Association, Lorain County Scottish Rite Society, Masonic Temple Ely Lodge 424, Inland Seas Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes Historical Society, Vermilion Fish and Game Association, The Friends of Harbour Town 1837, Vermilion Downtown Merchants and Professional Offices, Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Vermilion River Watershed Organization, Lake Erie-Firelands Tourist Council, Kelleys Island Lot Owners Association and Vermilion AMVETS Club Post 22. He is survived by his sister, Diane Bailey Chesnut (Don) of Vermilion; nieces Deborah Hansen (Steve) of Vermilion and Denise Fahrney (Mark) of Huron; and great nephews, Matthew and Chaz Hansen. He was preceded-in-death by his mother, Edna G. (nee Phillips) Bailey in 1981 and father, Henry G. Bailey in 1996. The family will receive friends on Monday, August 7, 2006 from 7-9 pm and on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Services will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 10:00 am, officiated by Vermilion Police Department Chaplain Walter Metter. Burial will be at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Bailey Memorial Fund, c/o Lorain National Bank, 4455 E. Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, Ohio 44089 or to the Friends of Harbour Town, Robert Bailey Memorial Fund, 5741 Liberty Avenue, PO Box 274, Vermilion, Ohio 44089. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com