Robert A. Lingane

Robert Allen Lingane, age 96 of West Haven CT, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 29th, 2025 at the CT Hospice in Branford. Robert was born on Nov. 7th 1928, the eldest child of Anne and Joseph Lingane of New Haven, CT.

When Bob's parents separated during the Great Depression, their family was driven to poverty. He began delivering milk at the age of 12 to contribute to his family's income, a sense of devotion to family and personal responsibility which served him throughout his life. As the eldest child of 4, it became incumbent on him to step up and provide. Luckily, Bob proved to be a hard worker.

Bob was a graduate of the former Commercial H.S. in New Haven-class of 1946–where he engaged in numerous athletic activities as well as theatre. Bob's high school yearbook catalogs his participation in football, baseball, bowling, track and swimming teams. His hobbies included ice skating and roller skating.

Still in school, Bob was employed by the railroad as a messenger when he was 15. This began a career that was to see him work off and on for the railroad, the last 25 years of which were spent as a conductor for the NYNHHRR, Penn Central, Conrail and Amtrak lines. He retired in February 1991.

Bob married his lifelong sweetheart Bea in March of 1951. Bob and Bea originally resided on 2nd Ave in West Haven with Bea's father, Arthur. Soon after they married, Bob, like his brother Joe, was drafted into the Korean War while their younger sibling Jerry volunteered. Bob found himself assigned as a radio operator in Japan where his knowledge of Morse code served him well. While he was there, Bob and Bea exchanged numerous love letters in shorthand, keeping their thoughts free for the most part from prying eyes of government censors.

After returning from overseas, Bob would acquire a parcel of land in Bethany, CT from his mother to which he would move his wife and his father-in-law, whom he'd grown quite close to. Bob would go on to build, with the help of his cousin John Morenz, the house at 5 Cedar Rd in Bethany, establishing his home and family there. Eventually, after the addition of their two children, the couple would move their family of four back to West Haven.

A skilled woodworker and woodcarver, Bob took great pride in his home. He loved crossword puzzles and anything to do with Ireland and his Irish heritage. After retirement he took classes to learn the Gaelic language. Bob and Bea took several trips to Ireland both to sightsee and to meet up with distant relatives

and create new connections. Bob could be stern yet loving, stoic, but with a sensitive side. It must be said he had a sweet tooth. He always had a dog for a companion, starting with his beloved Daisy who he received as a gift from his maternal Aunt. After Bea passed in 2004, Bob continued to live independently well into his 90s with help from his niece Patty.

Bob treasured his family. When his son, Larry, had struggles with alcohol, Bob quit drinking himself in solidarity. At this time, Larry boasts 35 years of sobriety. His grandchildren have many memories of loving visits that never seemed long enough, advice and support given and the warmth of his pride. He was very

proud, first of his grandson Aedan's graduation from Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business and more recently of Tiarnan and Tiegan's college graduations in Portland. Bob's life serves as a model of independence, love, constancy, dedication and duty to his family. He was a type of man that has grown increasingly rare with the passage of time. He is deeply missed.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Beatrice, their stillborn daughter "Annie", his grandson Aedan L. Fortes as well as all three of his siblings: Joseph Lawrence, Jeremiah Nicolas and Mary Lingane Crumly.

Bob is survived by his daughter Laurie L. Bowen (Kevin) of Portland ,OR, his son Lawrence A. Lingane (Amanda) of Windsor, CT his granddaughters Tiarnan R. Fortes of Queens, NY and Tiegan A. Fortes of Portland, OR, and his first cousin Audrey Hollman of Meriden, CT as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Family and friends may visit Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm St., West Haven on Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 1 p.m. at St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Ave., West Haven, CT.