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Robert HOULEY Obituary
Robert Donald Houley, 85, of Jupiter, Florida, entered into eternal peace Wednesday, October 2, 2013 surrounded by his wife, Helen and his children. Born on November 20, 1927, son of James Feeney Houley and Valida Marquis Houley, Bob grew up in Berlin, NH. Bob loved all sports and spent many hours on the playing fields in Berlin. Early on, he developed a strong sense of community which carried forward for all of his life. Bob attended Berlin High School where he played basketball, football and baseball. After high school, Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corp. Upon honorable discharge, he attended the University of New Hampshire. Bob was employed by L.G. Balfour Company in the Fraternity Sales division. In the early 1960's, Bob moved his family to Vernon, CT and became active in local politics, serving as a member of the Vernon Town Council from 1965 - 1968. His love of community and his desire to be involved led him into a career in politics that included serving as the State Senator of the 35th district for four terms from 1968 to 1978. While Bob was proud of all of his accomplishments, what he valued most was the relationships he developed throughout his life and his love for his family. He made a lasting impression on anyone who had the pleasure of crossing his path during his long life and each person was better for knowing him. The consummate family man, he was devoted to his wife of 56 years, a loving father to his three children and the best grandfather to each one of his grandchildren. Every one of his family will carry a special memory of him in their hearts forever. Besides his wife, Bob leaves behind his son, James F. Houley and wife, Carolyn, of Hopkinton, MA; his two daughters, Kathleen A. Vita, of Somers, CT and Elizabeth Houley Glassman and husband, David of Brooklyn, NY, his former son-in-law, Hal Vita, Jr., his ten grandchildren, Dominic, Stephanie, Hal, III, Hannah, Mackenzie, Sarah, Isabella, Cameron, John, Jeffery; and three great-granddaughters, Kaylyn, Finley and Kieley. Funeral and burial will be in Connecticut. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home of West Hartford, CT is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project or University of New Hampshire Foundation. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert HOULEY
11 Entries
Steve Baker
November 3, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Houley family.
Maryjo Cosgrove
October 9, 2013
What a beautiful smile! I have wonderful memories of an extraordinary man. Blessings to you all.
Jack HIRD
October 9, 2013
Fellow UNH Alum and Connecticut hockey buddy I am sorry to hear of your passing.
As a youth hockey coach for neighbor South Windsor, we spent many hours together competing as good friends.
Also my son Bruce was a hockey player with Bob's sponsored Connecticut Senators with Jim.
We also spent many hours debating Connecticut politics when Bob was a senator and I was district engineer for Ct. DOT.
Jack Malone
October 7, 2013
Mr. Houley's kindness to my family started with my late brother's apprenticeship on the Appropriations Committee in the mid 1970's. Twenty years later, as a freshman legislator, he was a great help to me. He was generous with advice. Nobody could match his grasp of the institutional history of the Legislature. And, boy, could he make people laugh relating it. I have missed him for several years now and saddened to hear of his passing.
Smooth ice now, eh Goaler.
October 7, 2013
Bob was an outstanding public servant. I had the privilege of serving with him in the CT. General Assembly and always admired his determination to help people. Joseph Coatsworth
Story time with Bob Houley.RIP our friend.
October 7, 2013
Our hearts go out to Helen and the entire family that Bob loved so much. We are saddened because of the void we also feel. Bob came into our lives just a few years ago but his friendship and the impression he made on us will last forever. We never tired of hearing the stories of his remarkable life and service to others.
Our sincere condolances to the family.
Mike and Alice Richmond, Jupiter, FL
Tom Campbell
October 6, 2013
Bob Houley made an indelible mak on my life when I lived there from 1970 to 1973. I was honored to be a fellow founder of Vernon Youth Hockey and also proud to be Rockville HS first hockey team. We beat Conard in our very first game. Jim Houley was the goalie for our Vernon Youth team and Bob was a great help to all of us involved in starting youth hockey in Vernon. My three years in Vernon were the bestin all the years I spent moving withGM and Buick. I had also helped found youth hockey in Claremont, NH where i lived before coming to Vernon-Rockville. I moved to Hudson, Ma in 1973 and coached there for 13 more years. Without the love and support of Bob Houley I doubt Vernon Youth Hockey would ever gotten started. As a BICD (Boston Irish Catholic Democrat) I never knew Bob's political party, But I am sure he acted like a Democrat. My condolences to Jimmy and all his family. I fell like I lost an old and true friend.
Stefanie Foster
October 6, 2013
I'm proud to say that I was able to work for him when he was chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He served Connecticut well. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Joseph Dwyer
October 6, 2013
My sincere condolences on the parting of this Good Man.Truely a part of life growing up in Vernon.
Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home
October 6, 2013
Our heartfelt sympathies in this, your time of grief.
Kevin Cosgrove and family
October 4, 2013
to Jimmy and the Houley family... I just found out from my mom of your Dad's passing. We were truly saddened to hear of this news. We just spent about an hour on the phone talking about and remembering Bob Houley.. what a character, and what a great man. We were so fortunate to have him as part of our lives... he was so good to our family... we will always love him, and he will always be in our hearts. Jimmy, I will never forget him in his goalie gear, or that night when he drove us (like a maniac) to the Bruins game in that blizzard. For everything else that he accomplished in his life, I will remember him most as the founding father of youth hockey in Vernon. The prayers and best wishes of my mom and my entire family goes out to the Houleys. God bless you, Mr. Houley.
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