Obituary for Robert John "Bob" Williams
Robert “Bob” John Williams, 61, of Simsbury passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020 after a valiant battle with Leukemia. At the time of his passing and throughout his fight, he was comforted by the love of his life, Gloria Groppo Williams and his girls. He is survived by daughter Abbey, her husband Douglas and their son Colby Farrell, Molly Williams and fiancé Julian Harris and Carly Williams and boyfriend Alex Demonse. He was always cracking jokes and put a smile on our faces until the end.
Bob was born on June 10, 1958 in Windham and lived out a happy childhood in Columbia, CT. He is survived by his endearing mother Eileen Shea Williams, brother Kenneth Williams Jr., his wife Sherry and their son Connor Williams, brother Richard Williams, and sister Patricia, her husband Brandon Johnson, her son Rich and his wife Shannon Duchesneau. He is also survived by the Groppo Family - brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews - all of which he loved. One of Robert’s proudest moments was becoming a grandfather to Colby. He is predeceased by his father Kenneth Williams Sr. and in laws John and Sadie Groppo.
Robert studied and achieved honors at the University of Connecticut. Remembered by all for his intelligent mind, he graduated with a BS in Accounting, Masters in Business and earned his CPA. When Gloria started working at the Barnes Group, it took one look at Bob’s beautiful blue eyes and an audit trip to Atlanta to win over his bride of 33 years. Robert transitioned to a career he truly loved as Senior Vice President of Finance at CW Resources. A devoted man committed to a company providing vocational training and employment opportunities to the disabled, veterans and disadvantaged. Over three decades, his co-workers and clients became like family.
Robert’s happy place was in Topsham, VT. There you could find him in his Carhartt gear, riding a 4-wheeler, with a bud light, Patsy Cline blaring on the radio and dogs running around the yard. It was there he created vacation memories with his parents and siblings and passed along that love to the family he created in the house he built for all to enjoy.
He loved watching his UConn basketball, Yankees, Celtics, and the Giants (when they were winning; Patriots when they were not). He was passionate about coaching his three daughters and dedicated his time to Simsbury Little League and Mirage travel softball. He touched the lives of numerous players and families with his competitive drive, ambitious strategizing and supportive spirit.
His family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 22nd at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Burial will be private.
A special thank you to the doctors and especially his favorite nurses at Starling and CB2 who supported him and his family through the challenging year. In celebration of Robert’s beautiful life donations can be made in the act of donating blood or platelets and joining the bone marrow registry at bethematch.org or directly donating to CW Resources, Inc. at 200 Myrtle St., New Britain, CT 06053. Please visit Bob’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Bob was born on June 10, 1958 in Windham and lived out a happy childhood in Columbia, CT. He is survived by his endearing mother Eileen Shea Williams, brother Kenneth Williams Jr., his wife Sherry and their son Connor Williams, brother Richard Williams, and sister Patricia, her husband Brandon Johnson, her son Rich and his wife Shannon Duchesneau. He is also survived by the Groppo Family - brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews - all of which he loved. One of Robert’s proudest moments was becoming a grandfather to Colby. He is predeceased by his father Kenneth Williams Sr. and in laws John and Sadie Groppo.
Robert studied and achieved honors at the University of Connecticut. Remembered by all for his intelligent mind, he graduated with a BS in Accounting, Masters in Business and earned his CPA. When Gloria started working at the Barnes Group, it took one look at Bob’s beautiful blue eyes and an audit trip to Atlanta to win over his bride of 33 years. Robert transitioned to a career he truly loved as Senior Vice President of Finance at CW Resources. A devoted man committed to a company providing vocational training and employment opportunities to the disabled, veterans and disadvantaged. Over three decades, his co-workers and clients became like family.
Robert’s happy place was in Topsham, VT. There you could find him in his Carhartt gear, riding a 4-wheeler, with a bud light, Patsy Cline blaring on the radio and dogs running around the yard. It was there he created vacation memories with his parents and siblings and passed along that love to the family he created in the house he built for all to enjoy.
He loved watching his UConn basketball, Yankees, Celtics, and the Giants (when they were winning; Patriots when they were not). He was passionate about coaching his three daughters and dedicated his time to Simsbury Little League and Mirage travel softball. He touched the lives of numerous players and families with his competitive drive, ambitious strategizing and supportive spirit.
His family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 22nd at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Burial will be private.
A special thank you to the doctors and especially his favorite nurses at Starling and CB2 who supported him and his family through the challenging year. In celebration of Robert’s beautiful life donations can be made in the act of donating blood or platelets and joining the bone marrow registry at bethematch.org or directly donating to CW Resources, Inc. at 200 Myrtle St., New Britain, CT 06053. Please visit Bob’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com