Robert "Bob" Whitehead

1928 - 2013

Robert "Bob" Whitehead, 85, of Torrington, formerly of Portland, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, April 30th at the Torrington Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was the son of the late George and Josephine (Kurek) Whitehead.
Born on March 9, 1928 in Middletown, he lived in Portland for most of his life and worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation as an Electrical Supervisor for 43 years until his retirement. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Navy on the USS Higbee and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. He was an active member and served as past Commander of the American Legion Post #69 in Portland. While in Portland, he was a member of St. Mary Church and later when he moved to Torrington, he was a member of St. Paul's.
Bob had many friends and loved ballroom dancing, entertaining in senior centers around CT, and putting on shows with Irene. Bob also loved spending time on the golf course and was a member of the Portland Golf League for many years.
He was a big UConn Women's Basketball fan. Bob was a delight to everyone who knew him and always put a smile on everyone's face. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife, Irene Summa of Torrington, his daughter, Debra Bougor and her husband, Randy of Portland, son-in-law, George Swanson, sister, Madeline Watkinson of Baltimore, MD, grandchildren, Erik Swanson and his wife, Paulette, Lindsay Bougor of Middletown and Matthew Bougor of San Diego, CA, 2 great grandchildren, Chloe and Charlotte and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Cecelia (Sally) Whitehead and his beloved daughter, Kathleen Swanson.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 10AM from Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland with a Mass of Christian burial at 11AM at St. Mary Church, Portland. Burial with military honors will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Portland. Relatives and friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center "For Patient Care", 540 Saybrook Road, Suite 280, Middletown, CT 06457 or to a charity of the donor's choice. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.portlandmemorialfh.net