Robert Delnickas
Mystic — Robert George “Bob” Del- nickas was called safely home March 4, 2023. He was born Dec. 7, 1943, to the late George and Lena (Zera) Delnickas and was raised in Enfield.
Prior to graduation, Bob was a standout athlete and football player for Enfield High School, breaking and setting long-standing records on the field. Following graduation, Bob served his country in the U.S. Air Force Special Ops as an Airborne/HALO-qualified survival rescue instructor with Jump Wings. After military service, he began a successful career as a medical salesman for national manufacturers and distributors.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, traveling numerous times to the Rockies, Canada and Alaska. In recent years, he moved to his passion for boats and the sea. Living in Mystic, he graduated from the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, R.I., and completed his own wooden boat. He was then chosen as part of the restoration team for the Charles W. Morgan, the oldest surviving merchant whaling vessel. A three-year project concluded with the relaunch 172 years after its initial sail. He enjoyed countless hours at the Formosa Yacht Club in Mystic, with his many cherished friends.
His family was foremost in his life and brought him his greatest joy. He was predeceased by his son Lee Delnickas (Dawn Rollend), his daughter Kari Delnickas-Heggie (Brook) and his sister Marcia Walenta. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Lori Westbrook (Jason); his grandchildren Avery, Alexander, Ryleigh and Jaxson Westbrook; Brennan and Ryan Delnickas; and August and Aspen Heggie; his brother-in-law Edward Walenta; his nieces and nephew Amy Shambo, Edward Walenta Jr., and Emily Leach; and his former wife Susan Gonyea (David).
Friends and family are welcome to attend calling hours from 9 until 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, Mass. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a noon Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow, Mass. Burial will be privately attended at a future date. Arrangements by forastierefuneralhome.com.