Robert DeMichiell Jr.

1958 - 2015

Robert deMichiell Jr. 1958 - 2015 Manhattan - Robert Lawrence deMichiell, Jr. passed away Oct. 12, 2015, in New York City, after a three-year battle with cancer. His loving husband, Jeffrey M. Wilson, was at his side. Robert was born on May 2, 1958, in Portland, Maine, to Nan McEvoy DeMichiell and the late Robert DeMichiell Sr. who passed away in 2014. At the age of 2, the family moved to Kodiak, Alaska, where Robert's father was the Commanding Officer of the Loran Station. In 1962, Robert Sr. was transferred to the faculty of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. As a young boy in Waterford, Robert "Bob" began his career in art by entering area art shows, including the Mystic and Westerly Outdoor Art Festivals. His art included framed works and a "You Name It, I'll Draw It" specialty. At an early age, Robert received numerous awards and "Best in Show" for the youth division. Robert continued to develop his interest in art and theater throughout high school and was a 1976 graduate of Waterford High School. His love of art led him to the Rhode Island School of Design and upon graduation in 1980, he moved to Manhattan, which became his home. Robert loved life in New York City, always offering gracious hospitality to family and friends for a custom-designed plan for sightseeing, directions to favorite shopping locations complete with a hand-drawn map, the absolute perfect place to dine with reservations secured, or for the latest exhibit or Broadway show to enjoy. Robert was one of the most prolific commercial illustrators of his time, with a distinctive style that was synonymous with sophisticated New York City-based entertainment and culture. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker (including the cover in 1993 and hundreds of theatrical illustrations for them, including the magazine's first ever color illustration of the Blue Man Group), Entertainment Weekly (where he was a regular for many years) and Premiere Magazine's "If You Ask Me" column for 12 years. Additionally, he created the signature art for many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including Oliver (1984), The Wind and the Willows (1985), Arsenic and Old Lace (1986), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told (1998), and La Cage aux Folles (the 2004 revival). Robert also created numerous posters for the charity Broadway Cares, including the organization's annual Easter Bonnet, Gypsy of the Year, Nothing Like a Dame, Broadway Flea Market and Broadway Barks events. His illustrations have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, TV Guide, Hartford Courant and literally hundreds of newspapers and magazines across the country. His corporate work includes illustrations for American Express, Absolut Vodka, and many others. A long-planned celebration of his art work entitled "Robert deMichiell: On Fire Island" was held, as originally planned, on Oct. 13, 2015, at the ClampArt Gallery in Manhattan. Robert married Broadway General Manager Jeffrey M. Wilson on March 25, 2012, and their beautiful wedding was profiled in the New York Times. He is also survived by his mother, Nan DeMichiell; sisters, Gail DeMichiell and Lynn Lynch and her husband, Brian, of Waterford; nephews, Matthew Lynch of Waterford and David Lynch of New York City; niece, Jessica Harran of Waterford; uncles, Ronald DeMichiell of Waterford and Dr. Bernard F. McEvoy and his wife, Barbara, of Schenectady, N.Y.; and his cousins. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Manhattan. Memorial donations may be made in Robert's name to The Actors Fund, 729 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019 or to Calvary Fund (Calvary Hospital Hospice), 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461.