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Robert George Fertig II
Robert George Fertig II of Sag Harbor died on February 25 in the company of family at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. He was 81.
A retired carpenter, volunteer firefighter, school bus driver, soccer coach and U.S. Army veteran, Fertig — called “Bob” by friends — was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
A native of Richmond Hill, Queens, Fertig was a beloved member of the Sag Harbor community in which he resided most of his life and raised his family. He helped save countless lives, homes and businesses over his 49-year tenure with the Sag Harbor Fire Department.
Born on June 19, 1943, he was the only child of Grace Smith and Robert Fertig. Growing up in Queens, he delighted in the company of his many cousins — who he often said were like siblings — and his grandparents, aunts and uncles.
On and off the clock, Fertig’s life was defined by service to his community.
Fertig served two years in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s as a courier in West Germany. After returning home, he married Marilyn Disbrow of Sag Harbor in 1965, and the newlyweds soon welcomed their children, Nancy and Robert.
A carpenter and builder by trade, Fertig founded Rembrow Builders in 1979 with business partner Wayne Jacobs. Together, they constructed and renovated dozens of homes on the East End.
In his spare time, Fertig was president and coach of the Peconic Bay Soccer League and spent decades bringing East End children to school and field trips as a bus driver for multiple districts.
As a volunteer in the Sag Harbor Fire Department, Fertig put out fires, manned the dispatch radio, led as captain of the Murray Hill company, and served as an EMT.
When the sirens were quiet and he wasn’t busy working on home projects, Fertig could usually be found with friends at the Corner Bar in Sag Harbor.
As empty-nesters, Fertig and his wife spent time with friends at their second home in South Newfane, Vermont. In recent years, they made many trips to Texas and embarked on adventures to Germany, Alaska, Hawai’i, Washington, Oregon and Tennessee.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn; his daughter Nancy and son-in-law Jan Burleson of Katy, Texas; and his son Robert and daughter-in-law Maria Carolina Frohard Fertig of Sound Beach, New York.
He leaves behind four grandchildren, who ranged from 27 years to 2 months old: Emily and grandson-in-law Jake; Matthew, Parker and Francesca.
Fertig’s memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, at the Sag Harbor Fire Department at 1357 Brick Kiln Road, Sag Harbor, NY 11963.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. A memorial page in Fertig’s honor is available on the foundation’s website: fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/RobertFertig.
Staff Writer on Feb 28, 2025