Robert Howard Weidlich (1934 - 2022)

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend Robert Howard Weidlich on Friday, March 25, 2022 with his loving family by his side. Robert was a generous, gentle, loving father and a delighted grandfather and great-grandfather. A gentleman to the core, but most of all, a devoted husband and best friend to his wife of 45 years, Gay Eleanor Sinnott (Zawerton) Weidlich.

Bob's story begins on December 21, 1934 in Hartford CT, the first son of the late Ernest Herman Weidlich and Theresa Edna Howard Weidlich. He grew up in and attended schools in Rocky Hill, CT. He also attended St. Peter's and St. Joseph's schools in Hartford, CT and graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1952. Bob earned an Associate's degree from UCONN in 1954.

As a 12 year old Robert cared for farm animals near his family home in Rocky Hill, eventually owning his own pure-bred heifer named "Carnation" (a 4-H project). Between paper routes, trapping and farm work, most of the money he earned was used to help with household and family expenses. When Bob was 14 he was trapping muskrats in local streams. He prepared the skins for shipment to Sears-Roebuck in Chicago for which he was paid $2.00 a pelt.

Following his graduation from UCONN Bob was employed by the State of Connecticut Dairy Veterans Home & Hospital; Herdsman for Eastern States Farmers Exchange (now Agway) in Manchester and Ellington, CT.

Bob loved dairy farming but later paid the bills as a mason contractor, masonry estimator and masonry instructor for the State of Connecticut, Department of Education. In 1955 Bob married Patricia MacNeil, and to better support his growing family of four he became a Masonry Apprentice, and then a Mason Contractor, co-owning D&W Mason Contractors. During the 1970s he taught "Manpower Development Training" for the Federal Government at the Skill Center in Hartford CT where his job was to retrain and teach masonry skills to veterans returning home from the Vietnam War.

Robert was destined to be a teacher and a nurturer of others. In 1971 he was hired as a Masonry Instructor for the State of Connecticut, Department of Education at A.I. Prince Vocational Technical High School. Bob became Department Head of the Masonry Department in 1979. He also taught blueprint reading to adults who attended night school. Robert was the recipient of the "Teacher of the Year" award at A.I. Prince Technical School in 1985. Bob was an energetic and inspiring teacher who taught his students a skill with which they could make a good living. He impressed upon them the need for hard work, commitment to their trade and honesty in their dealings. Bob retired from his position at Prince Tech in 1988. It was not unusual for Bob's former students to call or visit him during the years after he left A.I. Prince. As the years went by he would very often run into former students who recognized him immediately, and thanked him for being such a great teacher. He later enjoyed masonry estimating for Cristaldo Masonry in Newington CT for thirteen years and he retired in 2001.

Bob always loved animals, the land, and growing his own flowers and vegetables was a joy. He will always be remembered for his compassion for animals and love of horse racing. While living in Wethersfield he always had a big vegetable garden where his grandchildren enjoyed helping him. They loved to stand amid the tall sunflowers, pick peas (which would be eaten immediately!) tomatoes and green beans. Folks who walked by his home always complimented him on the beauty of the flower gardens. After moving to Vernon he continued "farming" by growing lettuce, spinach, beans, tomatoes and many kinds of flowers in patio pots.

Robert gave of his time very generously and was involved in multiple volunteer programs: in the Cardiac Department at St. Francis Hospital, and the "On Your Side" program at WFSB, Channel 3 in Hartford. In Wethersfield CT he was a "Friendly Shopper" (groceries for the home-bound), delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly, and regularly supported the Food Bank. He was a generous supporter of the South Green Shelter for Men in Hartford, and the Cornerstone Shelter & Soup Kitchen in Vernon CT. In addition, he volunteered for the Community Renewal Teams Elementary Reading Program (America Reads) at various elementary schools in Vernon, CT.

Bob very much enjoyed time spent at Cape Cod with his children, grandchildren and great-grandson. Bob's parents began annual Cape Cod vacations in 1942 and thus began his life-long love for the Cape. Taking his children and later all the grandkids on vacation to Cape Cod, or helping Gay to plan special day trips with the kids, gave him that "special time" and memories that we all enjoy with our family members.

Robert had many interests and was a faithful, dedicated, loyal New York Yankees fan, he always had room for "one more member in my Yankees Fan Club" which he generously offered to every Red Sox fan he met. During the winter he was a faithful follower of the UCONN Women's and Men's Basketball teams, and attended many of the Women's games. But the most exciting time of the year for Bob was when that first pitch was thrown, and the first home run was scored at the Yankees Spring training games. He also enjoyed thoroughbred racing, especially in Saratoga Springs, NY. In 1998 he won first place at the Sports Haven Thoroughbred Handicapping Tournament in New Haven CT. He was a former member of the Rocky Hill Elks, Lions Club and a current member of Friendship-Tuscan Masonic Lodge #145 in Manchester, CT.

Robert will be loved and deeply missed every single day by his wife, Gay, and his entire family. His passing will leave a gigantic hole in the lives of his beloved grandchildren Cheryl and Jessica Benanti; Jason, Lea and Emily Weidlich; Ryan Zawerton and Hailey Lombardi; Angela Zawerton ( Derek) Craig; his great-grandson James Benanti; children Daniel Zawerton (Nancy), and Susan Zawerton Miller (Stephen). Grandchildren John (Stern) Walling and Ashley Stern, Walling Hosig; and Gregory Ramsey and Kara Ramsey Lewis. Ten greatgrandsons: Fabien Ramsey, Elijah Ramsey, Ian Ramsey, Marquis Williams, Jakari Roberts, Trévon Roberts, Louis Sanchez, Dawood Gibes, Tyler Gibes, Justice Gibes, and three great-granddaughters: Julianna Sanchez and Laniya Gibes and Everlee Hosig.

The greatest tragedy of Bob's life was the loss of his cherished children: his son, John Francis Weidlich in 2001, daughter Kathleen Marie Weidlich Ramsey in 2005, stepdaughter Laura Kathleen Zawerton in 2007, daughter Jean Elizabeth Weidlich Stern in 2008, and daughter Karen Leah Weidlich Pease in 2012. We rejoice that Robert is now happily reunited with his beautiful children in heaven today.

Robert will be mourned by his sisters: Nancy Weidlich Ward, Susan Weidlich Dickinson (Hugh), and Lorraine Weidlich Blinn; his brothers: David (Sheila), Jimmy (Carol), and Tom (Sue). He is also survived by nieces Sara Ward Cetola (Ted), Julie Weildlich (Russ), Jennifer Dickinson Kennedy (Chris), Margaret Blinn Farley (Steve).

Nephews: Michael Dickinson, Tim (Nicole) Weidlich and their beautiful daughter Avery, and Raymond Blinn Jr. Great-nephew: Kenny Blinn and son Colton; Griffin; David (Amy); Daniel (Kim); Nick; Jeff. Great-great nephew Kenny Blinn and Great-great nieces Rachael, Megan, Caitlin, Jenna, Morgan Blinn; and Maeve Kennedy. As well as other nieces, nephews and extended family members. Bob will be fondly remembered by many, many friends including Richard and Linda Berson, Bob and Pauline Hale, Dick and Elaine Clark and Steve Aldi. Bob is also reunited with his very close friend Lou Brodeur. Bob was very much loved and admired by all because of his caring and concern for others which he demonstrated every day of his life in so many ways.

Bob was very special: caring, devoted, kind, patient, loving, generous to a fault and fiercely loyal. He cherished his family, and was always ready to help in any way possible. He lived his life giving whatever he could, and offered genuine friendship to all. Bob was well-known for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, sense of humor, and most of all for his love of family and friends. Words cannot ever fully convey how much we will miss this wonderful, loving husband, father, brother and uncle every day of our lives until we are all together again.