ROCKY HILL, Conn. – Robert J. Tobin, 91, died Sunday, June 25, 2012, surrounded by his family at his home, after a lengthy illness. Born April 17, 1921, in Kingman, he was the son of the late Ellis and Jennie (Moody) Tobin.
Raised in Milo, he attended local schools, and moved to New Britain, Conn., in 1944 to begin his career in manufacturing. He was employed as a machinist and gauge setter for Fafnir Bearing, and later for Pratt & Whitney from where he retired in 1983. He and his wife made their home in Rocky Hill, Conn., in 1999. Robert was an outdoors enthusiast, who enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox and University of Connecticut Huskies basketball teams. A devoted provider for his family, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and will be greatly missed.
He leaves his beloved wife to whom he was proudly married for 69 years, Marian (Young) Tobin of Rocky Hill, Conn.; children, James and wife, Marlene, of Plainville, Conn., and Epping, N.H., Linda Mangel and husband, Larry, of New Bern, N.C., and Janet LaBella and Lew Kimball of Colchester, Conn.; grandchildren, Sean, Colleen, Alison, Meredith, and Susanne; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to his caregivers, Anna and Celina; and his hospice nurse, Ashley, for their compassionate care and kindness throughout his illness.
Family and friends may gather 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St., Plainville, Conn., where a service in celebration of his life will begin 6 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will held privately in his hometown of Milo at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Robert may be remembered with contributions to American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Bldg. 3, Rocky Hill, CT 06067; or to the charity of one’s choice. For directions and online expressions of sympathy, please visit
www.Bailey-FuneralHome.com.