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Milford - Robert Allen Gulomb, 63, of Milford, the beloved husband of Livia DeFilippis Barndollar Gulomb, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, with his family by his side.
Born in Norwich, to the late Stanley and Nettie Gulomb, Bob was a lifelong Connecticut resident. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy and later from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Bob spent a lifetime creating. His work included sculpture, building a boat from a reclaimed hull, and designing commercial and personal spaces. He worked many years for Bayer Pharmaceuticals, and before that for Connecticut Savings Bank. From when he was in his twenties to recent years, Bob fostered his work through his company, Artificial Red Unlimited, alluding to his favorite color, which he incorporated into most of his sculptures.
Bob was a gifted artist and designer, and his vision for the abstract was apparent. His artwork has been installed publicly across Connecticut and as far as Maryland and Florida, and his many sculptural creations continue to grace the homes of his family and friends. His creativity was pervasive, and those who knew him or viewed his work will always remember his uniquely spirited artistic talent. Whether he was building metal sculpture, constructing art that transitioned or was consumed, designing commercial and household furnishings, helping his sons with school projects, dreaming up imaginative Halloween costumes for his and the neighborhood children, or decorating his house for the holidays, Bob's work was always exceptional and emblematic of his signature style. Bob never shied away from impermanence, particularly in his sculpture, and his warm humor permeated all of his creations.
Beyond abstract fine art and design, Bob's other passion was sailing. He was a longtime member of the Milford Yacht Club and the Sachem's Head Yacht Club, and he spent many of his happiest (and most stressful) moments in competitive sailboat racing. He sailed in countless races and regattas around the world. He was proud to be the overall winner of the 1987 Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race.
Most of all, Bob had boundless energy and authentic interest in everyone and everything around him. He developed textured relationships with countless people and loved to celebrate others' happiness. He had a gift and a thirst for thinking outside of the box, resolving thorny technical issues, always with a dedication to the origin and authenticity of whatever came before. His curiosity and generosity of spirit were unflagging.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving sons, Todd Andrew Barndollar of Brooklyn and Kyle Braden Barndollar of Manhattan. He will also be missed by his sister, Judy Pettini and her husband, Fred, of Ledyard; his father-in-law, Anthony C. DeFilippis Sr., formerly of Stamford; his brothers-in-law, Anthony C. DeFilippis Jr. and his wife, Sarah Conrod DeFilippis, of West Hartford, and David J. DeFilippis, M.D. and his wife, Jeannie Kelly DeFilippis, of Richboro, Pa.; his sister-in-law, Lucia DeFilippis Dressel and her husband, John, of Middlebury; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; as well as his beloved cats, George and Melissa.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Mae Anne Agostino DeFilippis.
Friends are invited to greet his family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road, Fairfield Center. On Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, a Mass will be held in his honor at 11 a.m. directly at St. Gabriel Church, 26 Broadway in Milford. Interment will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to Hopital Albert Schweitzer, www.hashaiti.org, or to Beth-El Center, 90 New Haven Ave., Milford, CT 06460.
Sail on sailor. We love you!
To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Livia, Doug just let me know of Bobs' passing. I'm so sorry and stunned. I will always remember our brief time in Montego Bay following a Pineapple Cup race and racing with Bob out of Milford YC. He was a great crew mate. I will say a prayer for you and Bob.
Tom Yale
Tom Yale
August 31, 2015
Glen Briden
August 30, 2015
Bob was a great friend. I have wonderful memories of sailing with him in Bermuda, Jamaica , St. Thomas and L I Sound. I was fortunate to visit him in July and saw that even though he was ill, Liv was taking care of him and he sat in his chair and we smiled, joked, laughed and told sailing stories. He was very sweat to my wife and children, having attended our wedding18 years ago and being a true friend for the many years we had him. I am lucky to have known such a great friend and already miss him
Douglas Wright
August 28, 2015
Livia, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sent with love, Jeanie Raben
August 28, 2015
Sincere condolences to Livia and the entire family.
Frank Pusateri
August 28, 2015
Livia,
Im so lucky to have known Bob through sailing. What a special guy. I always felt he was genuinely happy for me and others when good things occurred. He was passionate about life and interested in hearing peoples' stories. He was so kind to me and my son. Ill never forget how we enjoyed driving by your house on Christmas to see the decorations Bob did or stopping by on Halloween for an extra special treat. My heart truly goes out to you.
Sara
Sara E.
August 27, 2015
Livia, we are so sorry to hear about Bob's death, but we also know that he is no longer suffering. We'll always remember our trip to Paris with the two of you.
Linda Lou and H.T.
Harry Truman Moore
August 27, 2015
Liva, to u and your family, Suzanne and I send r deepest condolences. U and the family where blessed to have Bob in your lives. May u remember the good times, and may he rest in peace.
Mort( SP)
August 27, 2015
Livia my heart goes out to you and the boys. I know it wasn't easy for you but you have such wonderful memories that you can only cherish, besides his work will live forever.
I regret never sharing that grilled cheese sandwich with Bob but I will have an espresso martini in his memory. God bless.
G P
August 27, 2015
Judy, Fred and to all of Bobby's family, My deepest condolences. I will forever have wonderful memories of my childhood friend and all the great times I had with Bob on Sholes Ave. ~ helping him with his metal creations in his dad's garage, playing ball in the sand lot behind the house and the long walks home from NFA talking about our futures. I was blessed to have known him.
Tricia Sanders
August 27, 2015
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of "Bobby"..A gifted and loving person. Cousin Ron
Ron Tercyak
August 26, 2015
Rest in peace, my high school friend.
Nancy Lynn Goldberg
August 26, 2015
With sincere sympathy.
Irene Willis
August 25, 2015
Sending my condolences to the family. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time. (Psalm 29:11)
August 25, 2015
Very sorry to hear this sad news, Livia. Your husband, you and all whom you love are in my prayers.
Peg Sheahan
August 25, 2015
Livia, I am so very sorry for your loss. Bob was always so friendly and charming on our ABA trips, and I will be forever grateful to you both for making me feel like part of the gang. I'll be thinking of both of you.
Emily Gianquinto
August 25, 2015
May his memory be for a blessing. Carol and I have very fond memories of our Sunday brunch in Boston last year. I will cherish that memory for a long time. Sail On.
Carol Shubinski & Dan Schwartz
August 25, 2015
Livia I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bob was such an amazing man and I was blessed to have him in my life. (Hugs)
Terry Eyrich-Nerkowski
August 25, 2015
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