With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Robert Mathew Metcalf III of Oswego, NY.
The following words honor a life that mattered to many.
Family is the thread that runs through every story.
Robert Mathew Metcalf, III, 65, of Clay, passed away on May 2, 2026.
Bob was born in Oswego and grew up hanging out in his uncle's store, Carson's News, and at the Oswego Speedway, where he sold peanuts and popcorn. As a teenager, Bob moved to Fulton with his family.
Bob worked at Goldberg's Furniture in Fulton for several years before getting a job with Niagara Mohawk and then the U.S. Postal Service. He worked for over 26 years for the Postal Service until, in October 2023, he was forced into retirement amid what would be a four-and-a-half-year battle with esophageal cancer. Bob then enjoyed being home with the three family dogs, Zoey, Ruby, and Benny.
Bob was an avid Elvis fan and used to be seen in the '80s singing his tunes around Fulton and Oswego. Even more than Elvis, Bob loved the Oswego Speedway. Those fumes ran through his blood more than the Steel Palace itself. He sang the national anthem at the speedway several times and had several social media pages devoted to Oswego Speedway and its history.
Bob spearheaded several campaigns to get memorials for speedway icons, placing their images on street signs, plaques, and portraits.
He also sang the national anthem at many Syracuse sporting events, including for the Mets, SU men's and women's basketball, lacrosse, and football.
Bob is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kitty; son Carson Metcalf of Clay; and daughter Molly (Andrew) Scaccia of Oswego. Bob is also survived by his two sisters, Stephanie (James) Gamble of Baldwinsville, and Maricatherine (Patrick) Mullaney of Fulton, and a huge, loving extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. Metcalf Jr., in 2016, and Mary Jane (Carson) Metcalf in 2003.
Family and friends are invited to call from 10:30 am- 12:30 pm on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Nelson Funeral Home, 11 W. Albany Street.
Private Family Entombment will be held in the Mausoleum at St. Peter Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to be made in Bob's memory to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org, and/or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of Nelson Funeral Home.
