Robert Julius Armstrong, Sr.

Bob Armstrong of Griswold, CT passed from this life on December 1st in his 83rd year. Bob was born in Wardsboro, VT to Emmett Emery (Earl) Armstrong of Moores, NY and Martha Delight Benoit of Wardsboro, VT.  He is predeceased by his eldest son Floyd Goodell and by his brother Emmett Armstrong and Emmet’s wife Jean Veneault both of VT.

                Bob leaves behind his lovely wife Marilyn, his daughter Lorna O’Rourke, son in law David O’Rourke, Lorna’s friend Barbara Folsom whom Lorna taken care of for the past 27 years, (Bob adored Barb), his grandson David O’Rourke, III and David’s wife Amanda O’Rourke, granddaughter Melissa Hamel of Arkansas, great grandson Alex Corey of Arkansas and great granddaughter Scarlett Hamel of Arkansas.  David’s daughter Kaitlyn O’Rourke of New York and her two sons Korbin and Gavin Crane of New York.  He also leaves behind his son Robert Julius Armstrong, Jr. (predeceased by his wife Dawn Roethel), Dawn’s son Richard Savage and his daughter.  Rob and Dawn’s daughters Shelby and Casey and Casey’s partner Brian Delorge.  Bob also leaves behind his younger brother David Armstrong formerly of Moosup, CT with his wife Elaine, Elaine’s three children Dawn, Michelle and Scott with their spouses and children.  David’s son by his first marriage to Blanche Larose of Plainfield, CT David Armstrong of Pittsburgh, New Hampshire, David’s wife Kristina and their son Devin also of New Hampshire.  Bob also leaves his eldest brother Emmett and Jean’s (noted above) daughter Lorraine Clough her husband Wendall Clough both of Grafton, New Hampshire and their son Curtis with his partner Krystal, and Lorraine and Wendall’s son Jason with his wife Heather and their son Emmett.  Bob also leaves nephews Butch and Jamie Brainard and nieces Kelly Huffer and Vicky McQuown and their families.  

                Bob served on the SS Princeton aircraft carrier, Air Force division of the US Navy in the Formosa Straights during the Korean War.  He served three tours of the south pacific.  He worked for Kaman Aircraft when he first came to CT in 1959 but he made a career with Brunelli Construction building bridges in New York and CT until his retirement 18 years ago.  Bob and family lived for 35 years waterfront on Pachaug Pond where Bob could be found every weekend in the summer driving the ski boat pulling any number of kids around on skis and tubes or racing around on the wave runners.  He loved kids and took great joy in being around all of the activities on the water in the summer followed by a cookout and in the winter on the ice skates and snowmobiles making trails in the snow to keep the kids going.  He served on Pachaug Pond as special constable, keeping the waterway safe for all.  He was a member of the Pachaug Rod and Gun Club, when his children were young as he wanted them to know how to handle guns in a safe manner.  His later years he and Marilyn moved into an in-law apartment with Lorna and her husband Dave and he set about to create an absolute paradise of stone walls, gardens and lawns, keeping a variety of healthy trees.  He was an outdoorsman and could be found on the property either on his John Deere tractor or involved in any other project he had going out there at the time.  He fed the wildlife everyday and was an avid bird watcher with Marilyn.  He loved animals.  He and his son Robert were often found in the woods, cutting trees for Rob’s wood stove, or out in the garage working on one project or the other right up until just about the very end.  His early years were all about building racings cars at Waterford and Thompson tracks (until Marilyn stopped that out of sheer anxiety).  He loved Harleys and old cars and was one of the guys that could create and fix anything. 

                The world is a much smaller place without him and he will be greatly missed.  As on of our dear friends said “he was one of the good guys”.  Rest in peace beloved husband and dad.

                There will a small private family service.  Condolences may be sent to the family at PO Box 571 Jewett City, CT 06351.

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