Ward B. Robbins

Ward B. Robbins, 79, of 14 Lantern Lane, Niantic, passed away on Tuesday April 3rd at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, CT. Ward was born on February 12, 1933 in North Webster, Indiana, where his family ran a gas station and general store on Webster Lake. He was the son of Clifford Milton and Rita (Messina) Robbins and brother to Michael, Rita Louise and Tom. Ward grew up in central Indiana in the town of Elwood, where he graduated from Wendell Wilkie High School. He enlisted in the navy and was later stationed in New London, Connecticut on the USS Fulton. It was in New London where he met Margaret "Peg" Kelly whom he would marry and start a family with. After his navy service, Ward and his new bride returned to Indiana where he studied at the Purdue University School of Engineering, receiving a degree in mechanical engineering in 1959. Ward and Peg returned to Connecticut and settled in the town of Niantic, raising 5 children. Ward had a 36 year career at Electric Boat Division in Groton, CT where he served as a test engineer and supervisor. Upon retirement, Ward pursued interests including gardening, home projects, old movies, spending time with his grandchildren, and returning to Indiana as often as he could to visit family and friends. Ward was predeceased by his wife Peg, his son Kevin, and his brother Tom Robbins. He is survived by his brother Michael Robbins and sister Rita Louise Wire of Indiana, 4 children including son Christopher and wife Andrea of Louisville, Colorado, daughter Catherine and husband Phil Biondo of Stonington, CT, daughter Denise and husband Richard Caruso of Stonington, CT, and son Andrew of Niantic, CT. Ward had 8 grandchildren, Hayley, Colin, Scarlet, Kyle, Chase, Shepherd, Jee Hoon, and Zi Qing, whom he loved very much and who provided him with a renewed sense of joy in all of the activities, stories, and achievements that they shared with him. Donations may be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society Franklin Commons 106 Rte. 32 Franklin, CT 06254-1800 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 10 O'clock at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Huntington Street New London. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 5 to 8 pm at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home 12 Ocean Avenue New London. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com