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Robert Francis O’Such

Robert Francis O’Such, 89, of Guilford and formerly of Fairfield and Westport, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 13, 2023.

Robert was born in Troy, New York on May 8, 1933, the son of the late Peter O’Such and Mary (Kennedy Ryan). Known by all as “Bob” or “Bob-O,” he was a graduate of Hamden High School and went on to attend Brown University on a full scholarship, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Beta fraternity.

It was at a local high school block dance in Guilford where he met the love of his life, Sally Jeanne Warner–an enduring love which resulted in 67 wonderful years of marriage and shall remain forever. After graduating college in 1955, he and Sally married and moved to New York City, where he started a job as an advertising executive. One of the original “Mad Men,” Bob launched a successful career that ultimately brought him to Fairfield, Connecticut, where he raised his family. Bob began working in the printing industry for Herlin Press Inc. in West Haven, making his way up in the company until he retired as president many years later. Bob and Sally were longtime members of the Fairfield Beach Club, where he enjoyed playing tennis and paddle. They loved to travel and found the ultimate respite in their annual visits to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they would spend close to five decades with countless friends and family. Summers were spent in the close-knit community of Indian Cove, Guilford—the place where they first met and where they would ultimately settle permanently. Bob was involved in many charitable organizations throughout his life, particularly ones helping those in need. In his later years, he enjoyed his time volunteering at the Guilford Food Bank and delivering food for Meals on Wheels.

For the many people that knew him, Bob was larger than life. He was the consummate gentleman and charmed everyone he met–including all the nurses in his final days at Yale Hospital. In life, he never complained, asked for nothing other than love and friendship, and gave everything to everyone he could–qualities that seem too rare in this world. He was known for his sense of humor and his smile was infectious. He would light up a room and he could lift up the spirits of anyone feeling down.

He was the patriarch of a large family which included many grand- and great-grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as “Pop” and he adored them all immensely. He was an award-winning living room crooner (well, he would have received an award if there was one) and the songs he sang to all the children in his life will be remembered and recited for generations to come. Pop loved telling stories like any good Irishman and he owned the audience in every room he walked into. He was classically known for saying “lo and behold,” eating pretzels and orange circus peanuts (he may have been the last and only customer of those), and his Christmas eggnog and margarita recipes were world-renowned (if not potentially dangerous). Most of all, he loved his family, and they loved him in return. He will be terribly missed but fondly remembered by everyone–friends and family alike.

Bob is survived by his wife Sally; his sister Virginia Greene of Riverside, California; three children, Bruce (Tracy) O’Such, Kimberly O’Such, and Stephanie (Timothy) Taddei, all of Fairfield; seven grandchildren, Bruce (Carolyn) Audino of Southport, Alexandra (Michael) von Wahlde of Easton, Marco (Michelle) Taddei of Fairfield, Garrett O’Such and Dean (Rebecca) Taddei, both of Denver, Colorado, Chase O’Such and James Sheehy, both of Fairfield; and nine great-grandchildren, Ella, Lucia, Lily, Ben, Sofia, Trent, Elizabeth, Cody, and Hailey.

There are no planned services. Bob loved parties and we hope to throw one in his honor when the weather warms and will notify friends and family accordingly. If you would like to remember Bob, consider donating to your favorite charity, singing a song to a child, holding the door for a stranger, or giving the person next to you a hug. He would have liked that. To sign the online guestbook, please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.