Obituary for Robert Nicholas "Bobby" Sawitsky
Robert Sawitsky was born in Brooklyn in 1940. A 2nd generation Polish-American, he remained proud of his Brooklyn roots while remembering with joy the parts of his childhood spent at the family farm in rural Connecticut. It was in Brooklyn that he met Mary, a nursing student, and his life would truly begin. After just a few years of dating, the motorcycle-riding American rebel would sell his Harley for an engagement ring, setting the stage for a life of faith, love and service lived well until his passing on Jan. 12, 2021, with Mary, his loving and dedicated wife of 56 years, by his side.
After attending Brooklyn Tech, Bobby, as he was affectionately known, would go on to become an electrician. As a proud member of IBEW Local 3, he mastered the trade and earned a reputation for exacting and beautiful work. Working in NYC for over 40 years before retiring, he literally lit the way for millions, having worked on the 1964 World’s Fair, Trump Tower, the Verrazano and Williamsburg bridges, and countless Manhattan streets.
Mary and Bobby were married in 1964, starting their family among their families in Brooklyn before moving “upstate,” settling in Rockland County. As their own family expanded, their welcoming home became known for wonderful parties, occasional mayhem, and the place where Bobby could build or fix anything. Ever available in service to others, he was in constant demand, from the work on the construction of the new St. Boniface church to lighting the football field at Don Bosco Prep, all as a volunteer.
Raising five children presented challenges, but there was always room for fun. Backyard pool parties, annual summer vacations to Lake George, one amazingly harrowing week on a houseboat and frequent excursions to his own parents’ home on Gardner Lake created the memories that his children now share with their own.
As the kids grew and began to write their own chapters in the family book of life, Bobby and Mary moved to their current home, parish and community in Bethel, CT. Upon (finally!) retiring, he threw himself into his hobbies. An accomplished woodworker, he transformed his basement into a shop any craftsman would envy. He recommitted himself to his faith as a very active member of St. Mary’s.
His greatest hobby, however, was his family. Now free to do as he pleased, he was a fixture in his white pickup, traveling as needed to house and home, sometimes helping, sometimes doing, as his children built families of their own. It was there, among his 14 grandchildren, that he was happiest. He loved going to their games, listening to their stories, answering their questions, teaching them the same things he taught his own children, and just being in their presence. They were what lit his path until his passing.
He is survived by so many of the wonderful friends he made throughout his life journey. A great listener and quick volunteer, Bobby was the kind of person everyone claimed as a friend. His five children proudly carry on his legacy: daughters Deanna (DiVincenzo) and Janice (Taylor) and husband, Doug; sons Christopher and wife, Bridget; Mark and wife, Colleen; Jonathan and wife, Sarah. He will be missed by his grandchildren: Michael, Peter, Andrew, Timmy, Charlie, Joe, Finn, Brendan, Ben, Brygid, Teddy, Ollie, Will and Nate. He also leaves his brother, Tommy, and sister, Ricia; and Mary’s sisters Barbara and Helen. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Sophia (Backowski), sister Christine West, sister-in-law Linda, and ever-beloved son-in-law Fred.
The entire family will forever have a special place in their collective heart for the staff at Yale New Haven Hospital, in particular the extraordinary nurses and doctors in the cardiac intensive care unit. In spite of the additional challenges presented by COVID, they were unwavering in their commitment to Bobby’s thorough, compassionate and tender care.
While Bobby loved buying flowers for Mary for any and all occasions, donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to his favorite charities; St. John the Baptist Church, Bread of Life Food Pantry, 213 W. 30th Street, New York, NY 10001 or the Bishop Molloy Passionist Retreat House, 86-45 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432.
A wake will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT. We will honor his life and faith with a funeral Mass on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 910 Main Street South, Southbury, CT, and via live stream https://shcsouthbury.online.church/
Due to the pandemic, a proper celebration of his life is planned for this June on what would have been his 81st birthday, where all will be expected to eat and drink a little too much, polka as best they can, and share their best stories of a man who loved a party.
After attending Brooklyn Tech, Bobby, as he was affectionately known, would go on to become an electrician. As a proud member of IBEW Local 3, he mastered the trade and earned a reputation for exacting and beautiful work. Working in NYC for over 40 years before retiring, he literally lit the way for millions, having worked on the 1964 World’s Fair, Trump Tower, the Verrazano and Williamsburg bridges, and countless Manhattan streets.
Mary and Bobby were married in 1964, starting their family among their families in Brooklyn before moving “upstate,” settling in Rockland County. As their own family expanded, their welcoming home became known for wonderful parties, occasional mayhem, and the place where Bobby could build or fix anything. Ever available in service to others, he was in constant demand, from the work on the construction of the new St. Boniface church to lighting the football field at Don Bosco Prep, all as a volunteer.
Raising five children presented challenges, but there was always room for fun. Backyard pool parties, annual summer vacations to Lake George, one amazingly harrowing week on a houseboat and frequent excursions to his own parents’ home on Gardner Lake created the memories that his children now share with their own.
As the kids grew and began to write their own chapters in the family book of life, Bobby and Mary moved to their current home, parish and community in Bethel, CT. Upon (finally!) retiring, he threw himself into his hobbies. An accomplished woodworker, he transformed his basement into a shop any craftsman would envy. He recommitted himself to his faith as a very active member of St. Mary’s.
His greatest hobby, however, was his family. Now free to do as he pleased, he was a fixture in his white pickup, traveling as needed to house and home, sometimes helping, sometimes doing, as his children built families of their own. It was there, among his 14 grandchildren, that he was happiest. He loved going to their games, listening to their stories, answering their questions, teaching them the same things he taught his own children, and just being in their presence. They were what lit his path until his passing.
He is survived by so many of the wonderful friends he made throughout his life journey. A great listener and quick volunteer, Bobby was the kind of person everyone claimed as a friend. His five children proudly carry on his legacy: daughters Deanna (DiVincenzo) and Janice (Taylor) and husband, Doug; sons Christopher and wife, Bridget; Mark and wife, Colleen; Jonathan and wife, Sarah. He will be missed by his grandchildren: Michael, Peter, Andrew, Timmy, Charlie, Joe, Finn, Brendan, Ben, Brygid, Teddy, Ollie, Will and Nate. He also leaves his brother, Tommy, and sister, Ricia; and Mary’s sisters Barbara and Helen. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Sophia (Backowski), sister Christine West, sister-in-law Linda, and ever-beloved son-in-law Fred.
The entire family will forever have a special place in their collective heart for the staff at Yale New Haven Hospital, in particular the extraordinary nurses and doctors in the cardiac intensive care unit. In spite of the additional challenges presented by COVID, they were unwavering in their commitment to Bobby’s thorough, compassionate and tender care.
While Bobby loved buying flowers for Mary for any and all occasions, donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to his favorite charities; St. John the Baptist Church, Bread of Life Food Pantry, 213 W. 30th Street, New York, NY 10001 or the Bishop Molloy Passionist Retreat House, 86-45 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432.
A wake will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT. We will honor his life and faith with a funeral Mass on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 910 Main Street South, Southbury, CT, and via live stream https://shcsouthbury.online.church/
Due to the pandemic, a proper celebration of his life is planned for this June on what would have been his 81st birthday, where all will be expected to eat and drink a little too much, polka as best they can, and share their best stories of a man who loved a party.