Robert Dale Wilson died unexpectedly from congestive heart failure on October 18, 2008, at his home. Dale always went by his middle name because his father's and grandfather's first names were also Robert. He was born September 21, 1944 at home in Canaan, NY and was the son of the late Robert Cooper and Fordella Nickles Wilson. He was raised on a poultry, later sheep farm on North Valley Road in Canaan, NY.  He lived his entire life in the town of Canaan, except for a few years while attending college. He graduated from Chatham High School and was a graduate of State University of New York at Cobleskill, N.Y. with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Animal Husbandry with a major in Beef and Horses.  Dale enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and working with animals. He also enjoyed his nephews and niece and teaching them about plants, birds and animals. In later years he enjoyed his visits to his relatives in the Midwest.  On his most recent visit to Minnesota and Iowa in Nov. 2007 he also saw his great niece and all his great nephews too.  He was a life member of the Canaan Congregational Church, a long time member of the Church Choir where he sang tenor, and a member of the Music Committee and the Church Council.  Dale was also a member of Columbia County 4-H, Canaan Grange No. 821, Columbia County Cooperative Extension and the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association.   Since May 2001 to the present he was a proud employee of the Norman Rockwell Museum in the facilities department, grounds keeping and maintenance in Stockbridge, MA.  In Nov. 2006 he was chosen for his outstanding work and awarded The Golden Paint Brush Award.  Dale's past work experience includes; self employed caretaker for private homes in Canaan  and New Lebanon NY., farm manager for Wilson's Valley View Farm, Canaan N.Y. caring for 200 sheep, baling 2-3,000 bales of hay and maintaining farm and other machinery, Asco Horse Farm, Chatham Center, farm maintenance and helped  with horses, Halcyon Hills Farm maintained grounds, an English country garden and cared for 6 horses, Northeast Data Collection as an assistant data collector, measuring and photographing buildings and projects, New Era Design as a laborer, Jiminy Peak Ski Resort doing building maintenance and from June to Dec.1990 Grounds Keeper at the Canaan Cemetery. Dale is survived by his sister Gladys and her husband Robert Treichel of Charles City (Floyd Township), IA, his nephew William (and Karrie) Treichel of Grand Rapids, MN, his nephew Kevin (and Michelle) Treichel of Greene, IA., his niece Christine Scott of Alta Vista, IA., his grand nephews A. J. Treichel, Jacob, Elijah and Moses Scott, Xander Treichel, and his grand niece Nadia Treichel. He is predeceased by his parents and grandparents. Calling hours at French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham, NY are from 4-9pm Tues. Oct 28, religious service will be celebrated 1pm, Wed. Oct. 29 at the Canaan Congregational Church, Canaan, NY, family will be there to greet friends at noon. Interment will follow at the Canaan Cemetery. Donations in Dale's memory may be made to the Canaan Congregational Church. For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.frenchblasl.com