Robert J. Milby Jr. of Florida, NY passed away on December 12, 2024. He was 54 years old.  

Robert, born in Goshen, NY in April of 1970 is the son of the late Robert and Patricia Milby. 

As a freelance writer and poet, Robert had been reading his poetry in the Hudson Valley, the Tri-State area, and New England since March, 1995.  Robert, a listed poet with Poets & Writers, Inc. of NYC was voted Best Poet, in Middletown, NY’s Times Herald-Record’s Annual Best of listings in 2010 and 2011, and became Poet Laureate of Orange County, NY from May 2017 until November 2019.   

Over the years Robert was published in many magazines, anthologies, and has four published books of poetry in addition to his many self-published works.  Robert was invited to several New York colleges and universities as the featured poet, and actively hosted readings and writing workshops in schools and cultural centers throughout the Hudson Valley.   

Robert’s most recent book of poetry, A Harvest Sonata: Poems for Musicians and Poets, was published in 2023.  

Robert is survived by his three brothers Richard, Matthew, and Michael; sister Patricia; sisters-in-law Maria and Catherine; four nephews James, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Ryan; and his nieces Rebecca and Caitlin.  

His family will hold a private memorial on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat in Warwick, NY.