By Carol Fisher-Linn
Bob Pero, a Lackawanna native, found his way to Ellicottville in 1971. He and a partner first bought the old Rusty Nail Restaurant and Bar in Limestone, re-naming it Molly Hatchet’s. After a run there, he found his way to Tips Up Restaurant in the early eighties. And there he stayed for most of his bartending career. Bob retired several years ago, after a short stint at The Silver Fox. He made his home in Great valley and left this earthly plain on Thursday, October 17, leaving behind two siblings, Gary Pero (Lorene) and Toni Lynn Sojda (Kevin), nieces and nephews and many bereft friends in Ellicottville.
Not a man of a many words, perhaps even a bit cantankerous (according to some who loved him dearly), he generally got his point across by the things he did. Our Villager editor, Jeanine Zimmer knew him, as did so many in the community. Here’s what she had to say when I asked why everyone loved him so: “He was a gentle giant. He did come across gruff, but when you knew him, you loved him and he loved you back. And when he liked you, he liked you – and you got that soft smile that just made you feel special.”
Carol and Brian Erickson, regulars at Tips Up where the Lackawanna boy first found local fame in Ellicottville in the early 80’s, were great fans of the man who cracked them up every time he rolled his eyes in response to, well, almost anything. The couple were part of a group of regulars who included Chief John Murphy and his wife Joanne, who always had their special seats where Joanne would drink her coffee while the others imbibed in their favorites that Bob knew exactly how to prepare. There was Pete Seeley, Paul Hoak, Patti Crist and the next door gang from Ye Olde Towne and Country Realty, Brian and Dona McFadden, and others. They all had their spots, much like “Cheers” “where everybody knows your name,” and they were there to watch “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” and unwind and enjoy each other’s company. Perhaps Bob’s M.O. of not trying to be the star of the show, was exactly the glue that held everyone together. Some bartenders are natural performers and entertain their guests. Not so with Bob. He didn’t try to steal the spotlight, yet he was dependable and steady as Big Ben and fastidious to almost an extreme.
Todd Lindell who knew him from almost the first minute he set foot into Ellicottville tells how neat he was. He related how, if a spill occurred, time stood still until Bob completely cleaned it up, removing any signs of a mishap. He was reputedly neat as a pin, with knife-creased trousers and crisp clean shirts at any given time. Probably a throwback to his years in the armed forces which is how he became fast friends with Dick Emke and his wife Vicky since both men were Marines and celebrated the U.S. Marine birthday every November together at Tips Up and the Fox. Semper Fi!
Because of his quirky personality, the gals who came regularly loved to get him a little crazy asking for their own special glasses, and heaven forbid anyone should ask for a blender drink. He was a consummate bartender and knew the magic of mixology, so much so that Carol Erickson dubbed him “Dr. Bob.” She tells the story that she and her husband, Brian, would find their way into Tips Up after work, likely frustrated and grumpy after a tough day at the office. With just a few of Bob’s elixirs and rolled-eye non-comments, they were magically transformed into happy people. Carol told him he provided better medicine than any doctor and henceforth, Bob Pero became officially known to everyone in the Tips Up circle at “Dr. Bob.”
If you were a regular, you likely found your drink freshly prepared (and perfectly so), waiting for you as you walked in and planted yourself on your seat. To his credit, this eye-rolling guy never took pleasure in anyone’s misfortune; he’d do anything for anyone says Lindell, and everyone loved him, much as television viewers love Don Knotts (Barney Fife) on the Andy Griffith Show, or the beloved Muppett, Oscar.
He never strayed far from his triangle of Ellicottville, Great Valley and Salamanca, but he had to make a road trip to Lackawanna for a “best bartender of the year” award, which he accepted with an “aw shucks” attitude. He loved to golf but was always conscious of his work schedule and would pass on an event if it conflicted rather than miss work. He was truly devoted to his profession.
Carol Erickson shared a funny story about Bob dealing with a young child who appeared at the bar and literally had to reach on tippy toe to place his glass with a kiddy cocktail on the bar. When tall, thin Bob leaned way over, asking if he could help him, the kid admonished that “this is the worse kiddy cocktail I’ve ever had.” Now, Bob was not particularly fond of kids so you can imagine how that went. Carol laughingly agreed: her grandsons, who visited often with them, declared them the worst, giving top billing to The Silver Fox and the Birdwalk. Well, I guess he just couldn’t win them all! But he left this world a true winner, winning the hearts and love of the people he faithfully tended and befriended. RIP, Dr. Bob.