Robert Caffary Jr.

Griswold — Robert “Bob” Gilbert Caffary Jr., 58, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.

He was born Feb. 26, 1960, to Armande Rita Therrien Caffary and Robert Gilbert Caffary Sr., at a U.S. military hospital in Heidelberg, Germany. He grew up in Jewett City and was a 1978 graduate of Griswold High School. A natural athlete, Bob had an affinity for sports from a young age. Whether it was baseball, basketball, football or wrestling, Bob excelled at any sport he tried his hand at. His inherent abilities paired with a drive and determination that inspired those around him, which often resulted in him assuming a leadership role with whatever team he found himself a part of.

Bob graduated with a bachelor’s of mechanical engineering with a concentration in computer science from Central Connecticut State University in 1983. While at CCSU Bob played fullback and was also the team captain in his senior year. During summers he worked as a lifeguard at Rocky Neck State Park where he was also the beach director. Bob enjoyed his time on the beach and cherished the lifelong friendships forged from those summers.

Upon graduating CCSU Bob went to work for CarlingSwitch in West Hartford where he quickly rose through the ranks to a senior managerial position. Naturally creative and innovative, he streamlined and automated processes which vastly improved company efficiency. He then accepted a position at Skinner Valve Honeywell in New Britain as a robotics engineer, where he worked in design while simultaneously earning a master’s degree in business administration and finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

He was never the type of person to let fear of failure stand in the way of him getting what he wanted out of life. Eventually, Bob decided to leave the corporate world and fulfill his lifelong dream of starting his own companies: Lasermate, Document Dynamics and Passport. Bob was a man of great tenacity, whose strong work ethic served him well throughout his life.

There was nothing more important to Bob than his family and friends. As a loving father, Bob made every effort to be there for each of his children. Whether it was singing the Backstreet Boys to his daughter Amanda at karaoke; taking his daughter Nicole to audition for “The Voice” in Boston — where Bob himself also tried out — or taking his son Bobby fishing at Pachaug Pond and Misquamicut every summer; Bob paid special attention to his autistic son Ryan and ensured that he received the highest level of care and attention and became a tireless advocate for children with autism.

Bob was a loving son who always made certain that his parents were well taken care of. Whether it was installing a security lighting system or ensuring he was there to mow the lawn, Bob did everything he could to ensure they led comfortable lives. When Bob’s father Robert G. Caffary Sr. became ill later in life, Bob refocused his life around caring for his father and mother. During that time, he and his father spent many days together watching their favorite sports teams, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Following the passing of his father, he rededicated his efforts to caring for his mother. Bob would often take her on many day trips to various points along the shoreline which they both enjoyed immensely.

Bob is survived by his mother, Armande “Rita” Caffary; his sons, Robert Gilbert Caffary III and Ryan Richard Caffary; daughters, Amanda Rae Caffary and Nicole Izabella Caffary. His brother, James Patrick Caffary; and sister, Toni Marie McNichols and her husband, William McNichols; he was also a proud uncle to his nephew, Liam McNichols; and nieces, Jamie Lynn Caffary and Kaitlyn McNichols.

A memorial service will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at Leffler’s Funeral Home, 30 North Main St., Jewett City. Church services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct., 20, 2018, at St. Mary’s Church in Baltic.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Evergreen Center, 345 Fortune Boulevard, Milford, MA 017571723 in the name of Ryan Richard Caffary.

For the online memorial, visit www.lefflerfuneralhome. com.