AUBURN -- Robert S. Saroney, 86, of 2 Jarvis St., Auburn, a lifelong resident of Auburn, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004, at Auburn Memorial Hospital. He was the son of the late Fred J. and Pearl Hopper Saroney.

Robert served with the 8th Air Force in World War II on a B-24 Liberator Bomber. Prior to the war, he received his pilot license at the former Throop Airport and was also a colonel with the Confederate Air Force. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1259 Cayuga and the 40 et 8 voiture 1064, Cayuga County.

He retired from Alco Power in 1983 after 30 years of service as a crane operator and later retired from Finger Lakes Office Machines as a typewriter serviceman. He was recently employed by Emerald Payroll Service.

In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his wife, Laura Jean Cole, on Jan. 24, 1996, after 56 years of marriage.

He is survived by his two daughters, Beth Paro of Apalachin and Kim McLaughlin and her husband Kevin of Byron (Genesee County); and three grandchildren, Robert D. Paro, Amanda L. McLaughlin and Mark A. McLaughlin.

Visiting hours will be 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Langham Funeral Home, 75 E. Genesee St., Auburn. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Soule Cemetery, Sennett.

Those wishing may make contributions to American Legion Post 1259 Cayuga, and the 40 et 8 voiture, Cayuga County, in Robert's memory.