Robert Dennis Reynolds

On the evening of September 29, surrounded by family, music, laughter, and love, the greatest musician, Papa, and Dad in the entire universe backseat-drove his way right through the Pearly Gates. Waiting to greet him with open arms was the love of his life and wife of 50 years, Norah Kathleen (Glogowski) Reynolds.
Born on March 2, 1940, in New Haven, Connecticut, Robert Dennis "Bob" Reynolds, age 85, of Hamden, CT, lived a life filled with humor, music, and unconditional love. Bob could light up any room with a joke, a song, or a story, and he somehow managed to make everyone he met feel loved and valued.
Over the years, Bob wore many hats-musician, Wall Street financial assistant, ownder of Bob's Painting, Circuit Wise staff member, and U.S.P.S. union representative-but his favorite titles were Husband, Dad, Papa, and Uncle. As a man who lived his life in service, Bob gave freely of his time and talents, always finding ways to support the people and places he loved the most. He volunteered for countless activities connected to his family's schools, workplaces, and churches. His commitment to community shone through his involvement with the Blessed Sacrament Knights of Columbus, his volunteer painting of the Sacred Heart Manor, his participation in the Sacred Heart Father's Club, and his participation for in and advocacy for the Special Olympics. He was also known for his legendary appearances as Santa Claus - spreading joy and laughter to countless children (including his own unknowing daughters).
Bob's passion for music ran deep. Whether strumming his guitar, tinkering on the keyboard, or teaching his grandchildren how to play, his songs became the soundtrack of countless family memories. He loved road trips, museums, and all sorts of family adventures, exploring favorite spots like the Peabody Museum, Mystic, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, Providence, Washington, D.C., and the Bahamas. Above all, Bob cherished his time with his family-attending every event, supporting every cause, and always ready to drive anyone anywhere (and to tell you how you should be driving, too).
He leaves behind his two loving daughters, Diana Quinones and Theresa Reynolds; his adored granddaughters Amanda Quinones, Ashley Quinones, Ainye Warindu, and Jiorja-Rose Warindu; the absolute light of his life, great-grandson, Christopher Ray, Jr.; and his 3 cherished "adopted" sons, Julius Warindu, Christopher Ray, and Michael Gagliardi. He is also survived by his sisters Helen Silva, Jean Camp, Patricia Capello, and Ruth Ferraro, and by many beloved nieces and nephews- nearly 30 of them, whom he bragged about regularly.
Bob now joins his cherished wife Norah, his parents Thomas and Anna (Casey) Reynolds, his siblings Thomas Reynolds, Matthew Reynolds, Anna Reynolds, Shirley Somoski, and Mary Seward, a host of family and friends who have gone before him, and (hopefully) Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, for the most joyful and raucous reunion of all.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Barnabas, located at 44 Washington Ave, North Haven on Saturday October 11th at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Bob's memory by sharing a song, a laugh, or a kind deed with someone who needs it-just as he always did. Wallingford Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangments.