Robert Joseph Michalski

Deep River- Robert Joseph Michalski, 58, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at home surrounded by his family after battling an aggressive brain tumor for more than 21/2 years.

Robert was born on May 21, 1951, in Middletown, to Walter and Jennie Michalski.

He met the "love of his life," Bonette Marcolini, while flying kites in high school. He graduated from Xavier High School in 1969. They eloped on April 7, 1970, and spent the next 40 years raising a family, generously helping others, and enjoying time with each other.

Robert owned his business, R.J. Michalski, Inc., in Old Saybrook, before retiring in 2008. He spent more than 30 years creating, running, and expanding a retirement plan administration business. He was well known and respected for the quality of his outstanding work, professional knowledge, and integrity. In the years prior to starting his own business, he taught eighth-grade math in East Lyme after putting himself through college, undergraduate and graduate school, while supporting his family with three small children.

After receiving his diagnosis, he continued to help others, sharing health and medical information he'd learned with those in similar fights. He loved to spend time with his family, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and explaining how the world worked to his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Bonette, he is survived by his daughter, Kimberly and husband, Chris, of Essex; son, Matthew of New York City; and daughter, Kristen and husband, Chris, of Middletown. He leaves three beautiful grandchildren who also meant the world to him, Nathaniel, Elissa, and Abigail. Robert gave us all his sense of humor, grace, courage, absolute kindness, dignity, and steadfast love. He was a phenomenal husband, father, and grandfather, and we will love and miss him immensely every day of our lives. He is also survived by his father, Walter and his sister, Barbara of Rocky Hill; his brother, Michael of Cromwell; his aunt and uncle, Mary and Sebastian, his aunt, Babe; his sister- and brother-in-law, Annette and Robert; his sister-in-law, Christina; and his nieces and nephew, Courtney, Daniel, and Alicia.

Robert was predeceased by his mother, Jennie; mother-in-law, Katherine; and father-in-law, Mario.

Robert's family would like to thank everyone at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their exceptional care of him, particularly Jan Drappatz. Dr. Drappatz, nurse Debra LaFrankie, and clinical research coordinator Mary Gerard cared for Robert with extraordinary compassion and respect in his fight against cancer, and Robert thanked God every night for bringing them into his life. His family also thanks his doctor, Martin Katz, for his care and being a tireless advocate for him and the staff at Medical Oncology and Hematology of Hamden. His family also appreciates the support he received from countless family, friends, neighbors, and business associates.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Chester with interment immediately following in Riverside Cemetery in Old Saybrook. Visitation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Arrangements are by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.