Robert Owen Burroughs

BURROUGHS Robert Owen Burroughs, known to many as 'Diamond Jim', 86, died Saturday July 18th, at Masonicare at Newtown. Mr. Burroughs was born March 3, 1923 in Trumbull, CT. He subsequently moved to Easton and had a residence there for most of his life. In the early 80's he moved to his beloved house on Lake Zoar where he remained until moving to Newtown. He attended Bassick High School and was in the US Navy during World War II. After coming home from the war, he worked as a diamond merchant for Baumgold diamond importers out of NYC. He opened Direct Diamond Co., his first jewelry store in Monroe CT in the early 70's and subsequently expanded to include stores in Fairfield and Southbury. At his home in Easton, he tended to his organic garden and grew corn and his favorite fruit, cantaloupe. He was a self taught musician and loved to play his organ and guitar and enjoyed the big band era of music. Along with his love of music, he loved to dance and looked for any opportunity to engage in a Fox Trott or Waltz. He was a man of routine, and we will always remember his breakfast of either Cheerios, Total or Shredded wheat with cream and bananas. His fondest memories as a child were the times he spent on Lake Zoar in Southbury with his brother and sister. His greatest desire was for his children to also experience his boyhood lake, and subsequently purchased a cottage for the family to share. He loved sailing, power boats and fishing and shared his love of the water with his children. He was a kind and loving father, who would do anything for his family and friends. He leaves six children, George Burroughs of Sandy Hook, Sandra Barlow of Southbury, Katherine Sajda of Woodbury, Clara Saunders of Southbury, Sarah Sajda of Southbury and Mary Quackenbush of Prospect; one sister, Elizabeh Rohr of Easton, his former wife, Esther Goudie of Wallingford, and 15 grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his brother Sanford Burroughs. Calling hours: Wed, July 22nd from 5 to 8 p.m. at Carpino Funeral Home, 750 Main Street South, Southbury. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Masonicare at Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.