Robert Sile Golart

1935 - 2024

Waterford - Robert Sile Golart, 88, of Waterford, passed away peacefully June 26, 2024, under the care of Masonicare Hospice at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Robert was born in New London Sept. 25, 1935, the son of John and Annie Sile Golart.

Using the analogy of a baseball homerun, best describes the life of Bob Golart. Bob grew up in New London and attended both Winthrop Elementary School and Chapman Technical High School. Bob's first "at bat" took place as the official bat boy for the Thomas Hose baseball team, on which his older brother played, successfully landing him on first base. Heading down the baseline from first and sliding in to second, presented Bob with the difficult decision of leaving home to attend Seton Hall University. After four years in South Orange, N.J., Bob returned home with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He had also become a member of the Pirate Battalion Army ROTC. On July 20, 1957, Bob married his wife of 66 years, Carol Marie Faraci. His army career began at Fort Bragg, N.C. in 1957 and eventually led to a 29-year commitment to our country in the Army Reserves. Upon his retirement in 1986, LTC Robert S. Golart was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for Outstanding Meritorious Service. Tagging in at third base included stops at Pfizer Inc., attaining an M.A. at Connecticut College, Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp. Northeastern University P.H.D. studies and Professor of Chemical Engineering Technology at Thames Valley State Technical Community College (Three Rivers). Bob's service in the military as an Army reservist, as well as a Civil Defense Coordinator for Area IV and a Liaison Officer for United States Military Admissions for West Point Military Academy. Base 3 was also the most active period for participating in his love for baseball. Bob enjoyed both playing and coaching in New London's Morgan League, coaching New London Babe Ruth, St. Mary's Basketball and Thames Valley Baseball. How Bob enjoyed his Detroit Tigers, Seton Hall Pirates, UConn Women and Connecticut Sun! Leaving 3rd and heading home…

In addition to his wife Carol, he is survived by a son Robert John of Waterford and his grandsons, Michael, Jonathan, Luke, Benjamin and a great grandson Solomon; his daughter Holly Jean of Waterford and her husband Jeffrey Martin Sr. and his grandson Jeffrey Martin Jr. He was predeceased by his son Jeffrey Thomas; his two brothers, John and Thomas; and two sisters, Cecelia Golart O'Neil and Laurentina M. Golart. Crossing the plate… we will quote John F. McCullagh in a piece that directly reflects stages of life.

Baseball

It begins, of course, in the Spring.
The evenings grow lighter
The air sweeter
and all the world is filled
With sweet optimism.

It continues through
the long hot summer
Humid evenings
and long hot afternoons.
It is a marathon
not a sprint.
Only one team each year
wins the ultimate game

It leaves us in the Fall
as Winter's first foul
Imprecations
chill us to the marrow.
Days darken
and the sun seems absent.

It is both a faith and
a fixation.
Even in winter's depths
It speaks to us of spring
and the hope
of redemption.

The Golart Family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of 4.2 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital who coordinated with Masonicare Hospice to provide unparalleled care, Waterford Ambulance and VNA of Southeastern Connecticut. To our blessings of homecare family, there will never be words to express our love and gratitude to Shannon, Jeffrey, Addy, Rachael, Destry and Lissette for allowing dad to live in quiet dignity.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Saturday, July 6, 2024, at S. Mary Star of the Sea in New London. Condolences may be shared on Mr. Golart's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.