Robert Martin "Bob" Visny

1931 - 2020

BORN

1931

DIED

2020

Robert Visny Obituary

Robert "Bob" Martin Visny, 89, of Coventry, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of the late Wilma (Scott) Visny who passed away in 2014.

He is survived by his daughter Martine Lehmann and her husband, Prescott, grandsons Joshua Lehmann and (Kellyann Cox), Scott Visny and Lisa, granddaughters Stephanie, Kelly, Amanda, and great-grandchildren Morgan, Jacob, Jasmine, Brianna, Ava Aden and Zander. He was predeceased by his son, Stephen, and sisters, Elizabeth and Clara.

Born at Manchester Hospital on July 22, 1931, the son of the late John Martin and Lena (Goehring) Visny, Bob grew up on his family's Coventry dairy farm. Bob attended a one-room schoolhouse in his youth and was a member of the last class to graduate from the Brick School in 1945. A beloved educator who forged lasting friendships with hundreds of students, Bob taught sixth grade for 32 years at the Washington and Verplanck Schools in Manchester. In 1960 Bob and Wilma purchased fifty acres in Coventry, the site of the Hickory Ridge Tree Farm. A visit to Hickory Ridge is a lasting holiday memory for hundreds of loyal families and friends.

Bob was active in numerous organizations including the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, and Project Learning Tree. He was a member of the Eastern CT Forest Land Owners Association, Last Green Valley, and the Coventry Agriculture Committee. Bob was a member of the North Coventry Volunteer Fire Association for 50 years, Historical Society, Center Cemetery Association, American Legion, and the Uriel Lodge No. 24 AF & AM and the Second Congregation Church.

Bob's high school motto, "Always ready with a smile, quick to do a thing worthwhile" was true of him his entire life. A generous and thoughtful man, he leaves a legacy of kindness and service to others.

The Visny family thanks Dr. Katz and his staff Janet and Chris, Dr. Khanna and Dr. Bandyopadhyay for the excellent care they provided to Bob.

Donations in Bob's memory can be made to: North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department (3427 Main St., Coventry, CT 06238), Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association (304 Parker Ave. Meriden, CT 06450) or the Second Congregational Church (1746 Boston Turnpike, Coventry, CT 06238).

Due to Covid restrictions, services will be private. The family hopes to honor Bob's memory at a future date when conditions permit. For online condolences please visit:

www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal Inquirer from Nov. 14 to Nov. 18, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Visny

1 Entry

Danny Storrs

November 18, 2020

Danny Storrs--September 27, 2018
My brother Don wrote some nice words about Bob a few days ago and sorta talked me into adding a few more from the Storrs family. Our families connection to Bob goes back to the late 1930's, into the 1940's to this day.
September 27, 2018
As Don mentioned, this was the day that Don, Dave, & myself visited Bob, and sat at his kitchen table completely enthralled as we listened to what he told us.
1. But first the three Storrs boy's connection to Bob. Bob was our adult leader of the Coventry 4-H Foresters. He taught us the difference between the needles of a red pine and white pine. He taught us how to prune a Christmas tree, which led to our being hired by the Merriam family to prune trees. The one thing I remember about that job was at the end of a cold day of pruning Mrs. Merriam would make us hot cocoa and the most heavenly brownies as we waited for dad to pick us up. Bob also taught us how to plant Christmas tree seedlings and helped us find planting jobs among growers of Christmas trees. The pay was two and a half cents per tree. Sometimes over a period of days we would plant 2500 seedlings. It was good money back in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
2. Bob's connection to my grandparents, Gilbert & Mary Storrs-1930-40.
Bob grew up near my grandparent's farm with its gorgeous buildings that sat high at the confluence of Rte. 31, Rte. 44-A & Grant Hill Road. Yes, you are correct, that is now a Walgreens. When my dad and uncle enlisted in the army for WWII, Bob was around 11 or 12 years old and would spend many afternoons helping my grandfather & often would have dinner there, loving my grandmothers sausage. He gave us insight into what life was like back then. He described how my grandfather worked the team of horses, how much he enjoyed my grandmothers warmth and cooking, how he rode to the Hartford train station with my grandfather and my mother to pick up my dad who returned from basic training. My parents were just "going together" at that time. He spoke of watching the love and feeling between them, and he also said: "he thought my mother was the prettiest girl in North Coventry. There was more that he shared, however, you get my drift.
Bob was a soft-spoken, humble, yet proud man. Coventry was so fortunate to have him as a community member. His family should be so pleased and proud of the glorious golden glow that his presence cast over the residents of Coventry and the students of Manchester.
September 27, 2018, was a special day for Danny, Dave, & Don Storrs

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