ROBERT "PAT" MAILHOUSE

1922 - 2015

MAILHOUSE, ROBERT “PAT” On July 15, 2015 at his home in Branford, CT, surrounded by his family, Pat Mailhouse left us. His wit, his guidance, his ability to make us laugh every day is already missed. Born in New Haven, CT on March 2, 1922 to his parents, Selma (Dreyfus) and Robert J. Mailhouse. Educated at Worthington Hooker School and Hillhouse High School, class of 1940, Pat studied at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. His education was interrupted by World War II. Pat served with the 9th Air Corps, 409th Bomb Group, 640 Squadron stationed in England and France. He operated a radio direction finder to help guide the bombers home. Pat told poignant stories of battles and humorous tales of antics with his fellow soldiers. After VJ Day, Pat returned to Colorado College. He was glad to be a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, enjoyed the classes in his Education major and really enjoyed the social life at the Broadmoor Hotel, parties in the Garden of the Gods park and cramming for exams at the Hogan. After graduating, he taught at Rocky Ford High School in Rocky Ford, Colorado. Always an adventurer, he went to California in the late 1940s and worked in Advertising while living on Coronado – before there was a bridge to San Diego. He and his partner, Steve Gardner, founded Twentieth Century Advertising and worked with clients such as the Sports Gazette and the Del Mar Race Track. Pat’s family business, the Plymouth Electric Company, called him back to Connecticut. His sense of duty brought him to the company but his financial genius and long hours made the company a success. Distributing Zenith, Kitchen Aid and Amana products in CT and Western MA, Pat turned his customers and employees into family. He sponsored incentive trips to Europe and the Caribbean and twice to his favorite country, Ireland. Pat sponsored employee sports teams, company picnics, holiday parties and supported the New Haven American Legion Baseball team for over 40 years. A long time baseball fan, he was at the game when Lou Gehrig made his famous retirement speech and loved to attend winter games in Sarasota, FL. Pat married Betty Cooper in 1952. They had three children, Marla Mailhouse Rivers (Paul), Emily Mailhouse and Robert K. Mailhouse (fiancée Catherine Kim). Oh how Pat loved his children! And when the grandchildren, Maxwell Robert Rivers (fiancée Katherine Ilaria), Shannon Mailhouse Dunn and Cooper John Rivers arrived, Pat was in love all over again. In 1989, Pat married Joyce Buczynski in Hamilton, Bermuda. Their marriage was loving and oh so much fun. The funeral will be private. Friends wishing to honor Pat may consider a contribution to one of his favorite charities: The Hotchkiss Grove Association, PO Box 591, Branford, CT 06405 and Southern Connecticut (Baseball) Diamond Club, Inc. c/o Rose V. Mentone, 541 Hill Street, Hamden, CT 06514. For online guestbook, see www.wsclancy.com.