Kalvinek, Robert J.

Robert J. Kalvinek, 82, of Southington, beloved husband of Carol (Smith) Kalvinek, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Robert was born in Whitensville, MA on October 3, 1939 and was the son of the late Henry and Anna (Chupka) Kalvinek. Bob proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge from the military, he continued to serve the community as a member of the Hartford Police Department where he retired in 1989 at the rank of sargent. He then was later employed for the Connecticut Resource Recovery Agency as an investigator. Whether you knew him as “Bob”, “Grumpy”, “Kal”, or “Bobbo”, Robert was a pillar of his community. For over 30 years, “Bobbo” was the manager of the American Legion Baseball Team, winning many titles, the last being in 2018. For his contributions to the team, he was elected to the American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Kiltonic Post #72. In his spare time, Robert loved to be outdoors where you could find him fishing at his favorite pond or lake, hunting in the woods, or shooting at the range with his family, or chasing that hole in one at his favorite golf course. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the UCONN men's and women's basketball teams. But it was the time with his family that he cherished the most. He was a family man till the end. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were sunshine in his life. He absolutely loved to be around them, especially at Christmas time where he loved to watch them “rip” into their gifts. Besides his wife of 57 years, Robert is survived by his son William Kalvinek and his wife Lynn of Southington, and by his daughter Betsy McGarvey and her husband Paul of South Mills, NC. Robert also leaves his five cherished grandchildren; Jordyn Tomlin and her husband Blake of Norfolk, VA, Kasey Ernzen and her husband Nick of Mechanicsville, MD, Devon McGarvey and her fiancée Chris Freed of Raleigh, NC, Kimberly Lebel of Wolcott, CT, and Thomas Lebel also of Wolcott, CT, and by five great grandchildren; Kaylee, Natalie, Nataleigh, Cole and Lochlan. He is also survived by his furry companions Snowy, Dagwood and Squeaky. Robert was predeceased by his siblings; Andrew, John, George, Irene, Mary and Ann. A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Dominic's Church, 1050 Flanders Rd. Southington, CT 06489. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00PM at the DellaVecchia funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. Southington, CT 06489 with military honors being accorded to him at 6:45 PM by the United States Air Force. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's memory may be made to the American Legion Kiltonic Post #72, 64 Main St. Southington, CT 06489 or to the CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd. Newington, CT 06111. For directions or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.dellavecchiasouthington.com.