Robert Wolcott Squire Sr.

1931 - 2024

Robert Wolcott Squire, Sr.
July 20, 1931 - October 27, 2024
Robert Wolcott Squire, Sr., husband of Rae Zavaglia Squire, died October 27, 2024, at home in Meriden. Bob was born in Meriden July 20, 1931, the son of Robert Allan Squire and Margaret Welles Squire. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Wilbur Welles Squire, his sister Dorthy Southworth Squire Church, and his wife Rae.
Bob was educated in Meriden city schools, then graduated from The Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA in 1950 and Carleton College in Northfield, MN in 1954. After graduation he joined the W.H. Squire Co., Inc., representing the fourth generation to enter the family insurance agency. He attended insurance schools in Hartford, Chicago and Philadelphia. The Squire Co. also operated an active real estate and travel agency, the latter dating back to 1890. Over the years, he developed strong relationships with his business clients and with loyal Squire Co. employees, especially Phyllis Maynes who supported Bob and the agency for 60 years.
In 1956, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in the Combat Intelligence POW Interrogation Unit at the Army Intelligence School at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, MD.
Squire thoroughly enjoyed the travel agency and was especially proud of the number of high school students he took on trips to Athens, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome, in the early 1970s. He and wife, Rae, also led many group tours around the world, from Australia to the Arctic Circle. In Egypt, he climbed to the summit of the Great Pyramid of Giza to watch the day break over Cairo before celebrating with champagne at the top. His father had completed the same climb in 1914. His other favorite destination was Italy's Amalfi coast, where he and Rae traveled many times.
Bob also contributed to many professional and civic organizations. He was twice elected president of the Connecticut Chapter of the Association International des SKAL Clubs (SKAL), a worldwide organization founded in 1932 to foster goodwill and mutual understanding between people around the world. In Meriden, he served on the Allocation Committee of the Meriden United Fund and on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce and the H. Wales Lines Co. He was also very active in The Home Club.
He is survived by son, Robert Wolcott Squire, Jr. and wife Mary of Venice, FL; his son, Thomas Welles Squire of Meriden; his daughter, Elizabeth (Betsy) Denote and husband Fred of Venice, FL; granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Morgan Fasolo, husband Addison and daughters, Delaney and Maren of Bristol; nephews, Allan Southworth Church and wife Lois, Curtis Wolcott Church and wife Liz and Spike Savage Squire and husband David; nieces, Margaret Agnes Church, Lauren Gallagher and Anne Nelson; and cousins, Harriet Squire Leonard and Roger Wolcott Squire, Jr.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Yalesville Funeral Home. There are no calling hours.