Robert William "Bob" Smith

New London - Robert "Bob" William Smith, 84, of New London, died at home Monday, Aug. 12, 2013, after defying the odds since he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition five years ago.

He was born in Hartford, March 13, 1929, the son of William P. and Anna (Klocker) Smith. Bob was the husband of Mary Zita (Flaherty) Smith whom he married on Feb. 19, 1955, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church.

Bob was a graduate of the former Chapman Technical High School in New London. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Bob retired after 49 years with Electric Boat Company in Groton where he had been employed as a senior designer. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in New London.

Bob loved living along the shoreline and the city of New London, which he supported through his involvement with a number of local community organizations. He and his wife Zita were often spotted at downtown social and cultural events, which included watching Sailfest fireworks as close as possible. Bob spent many happy years sailing and on the beaches of the Thames Yacht Club, Guthrie Beach and Osprey Beach Club. Skiing was also a very important part of Bob's life which he enjoyed for over 40 years. He was an avid supporter of his children's and grandchildren's activities attending countless events up until this spring.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Robert of Los Angeles, Calif., David and his wife, Giselle (Grossi), of LaVerne, Calif., Steven and his wife, Karen (Kiely), of New London; four daughters, Nancy Cowden of Waterford, Susan and her fiancé, Patrick Keating, of New London, Maureen Petersen and her husband, Gary, of Sandy, Utah, and Carolyn Ryan and her husband, Barry (Hubba), of Noank. He has a sister, Dorothy Sahanen and her husband, Oscar, of Groton; 12 grandchildren, Nanette, Jillian, Logan, Gabrielle, Sierra, Christina, Kiely, Emily, Nora, Raymond, Casey and Teddy; great-grandchildren, Paytin and Kaylee; as well as a large extended, loving family.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Hayden Keating.

The funeral will assemble at 10:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London, and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Center for Hospice Care; the St. Joseph School Endowment Fund; or to Catholic Charities.

Condolence messages may be left on Bob's memory page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.