Robert McGoldrick

Robert Lawrence McGoldrick died at his home in Bloomfield, CT on March 12 after a courageous fight with cancer that inspired his friends and family. He was 77. He dedicated his life to serving God, his family, and his friends and strived to live each day to the fullest through his incredible work ethic and his genuine concern for brightening the lives of those around him. He will be remembered as a man who gave selflessly to his friends and family and built a legacy of client service through his career. He was born in Danbury, CT on March 20, 1934. He was the devoted son of the late John Howard and Esther McGoldrick. He attended St. Peter's Elementary School and Danbury High School and was recognized around Danbury for his motorcycle-driven Upsy Daisy ice cream business. He graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame in May, 1956. One of his proudest accomplishments at Notre Dame was working as Head Football Manager. The University had a tremendous impact on Bob, and it would remain a fundamental part of his life. He spent countless hours giving back to Notre Dame, serving on the Alumni and Admissions Boards and as President of the Monogram Board. He passed on his love of Notre Dame to each of his six children who followed in his footsteps and graduated from the university. He created lasting memories with his family in the time they spent there whether watching football, attending mass at Sacred Heart, visiting the Grotto or sharing meals together at Bruno's. He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1956 serving on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ticonderoga CVA 14. He would later spend 13 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. "Goldy" was an institution at CIGNA. He spent 35 years working at CIGNA (and its predecessor the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company). He officially retired in 1994 and spent the next decade consulting for the company. He started in 1959 working in the Hartford Group Office and later moved to the company's Bloomfield, CT headquarters where he stayed for the remainder of his career. His career was spent fostering close relationships with clients and mentoring and enriching the careers of countless employees. He was instrumental in founding CIGNA's National Accounts operation and in convincing the company to invest in the health care business. Both remain foundations of the company's success. Bob was a dedicated member of St. Timothy Church in West Hartford where he was an active parishioner for nearly 50 years. He served on the board of St. Francis Hospital and was a past Chairperson of the Northwest Catholic High School Annual Fund. Bob, in his early years, coached in both the West Hartford Youth Football and Baseball leagues. He and his wife, Jody, cherished spending summers at their Cape Cod home on Ayer Lane in Harwichport, MA and wintering at the Trafalgar in Highland Beach, FL. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joanne Donohoe McGoldrick, as well as his six children: Michael McGoldrick and his wife Marilyn of West Hartford, CT; Mark McGoldrick and his wife Carolyn of New Canaan, CT; Maureen McGoldrick Hann and her husband John of Norcross, GA; Patrick McGoldrick; Kelly McGoldrick Curran and her husband Tom of Pittsford, NY; and Christopher McGoldrick and his wife Kjeldy of West Hartford, CT. He also leaves 16 grandchildren: Brendan, Brian, Matt and Kyle McGoldrick; Erin and Holly McGoldrick; John, Robert and Lauren Hann; Thomas, Kate, Michael and Kevin Curran; and Owen, Peter, and Torin McGoldrick. He is survived by his sister Jean Mahoney of Southbury, CT. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 15 from 4-8 PM at The Church of St. Timothy, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117. Funeral services will also be held at The Church of St. Timothy on March 16 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of St. Timothy or to a scholarship established in his name at the University of Notre Dame (donations to the "University of Notre Dame" and sent to: Robert McGoldrick Memorial Scholarship c/o Brian Green; University of Notre Dame; Office of Development; 1251 N. Eddy Street Commons, Suite 300; South Bend IN 46615). Ahern Funeral Home in Hartford, CT has charge of arrangements (www.ahernfuneralhome.com).