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Robert "Bob" Senkbeil

Robert "Bob" Senkbeil Obituary

Robert "Bob" A. Senkbeil, 74, currently of Columbia, CT passed away on March 26, 2024, at Hartford Hospital with his family at his side. Born in Manchester, CT on January 3, 1950, the son of the late Charles Oliver and Antoinette (Schiavetti) Senkbeil. Bob grew up in Hebron and graduated from RHAM High School in 1968, and Hartford State Technical College (CT State Community College Capital) in 1970. In 1975, Bob married and moved to East Hampton, and in 1983 they moved to Columbia where they have lived for the past 41 years.

He was an electrician by trade for 46 years and worked for McPhee Electric for most of that time as a member of IBEW Local #35. After retiring, he enjoyed working at Camp Asto Wama where he helped maintain the camp and its grounds.

An avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Bob also enjoyed skiing, scuba diving and hiking in his younger years, then playing sudoku, minesweeper, and golf in his later years. Throughout his life, Bob was athletic and loved to find new adventures. He also loved puzzles, learning, and figuring out ways to build or do new things himself, such as building his home with his wife and getting his license to pilot airplanes.

His favorite pastime, however, was spending time with friends and family. To his friends, “Bob”, “Bobby”, “Gramps” was always willing to lend a hand, have a good time, share a great story and have some great laughs. To his family “Dad”, “Grandpa”, “Grampy” taught life skills, self-sufficiency, problem solving, and self-sacrifice to his kids with kindness and patience. With his grandchildren he was a mix of sweetness and gentle hugs and tickles and silly stories.  To his wife, Bob was the perfect match. They partnered together building their home for many years, and they shared their love of family, making it a point to get everyone together for vacations and holidays, to share meals, stories, love, and laughter. He will always be the other half to her golf game.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years Katherine (Barney) Senkbeil; his children Jennifer Marvin and her husband Gary of San Antonio, TX and Amy Sartori and her husband Luigi of Lebanon, CT; his grandchildren Alexandra “Lexi” Call and Samantha Marvin of San Antonio, TX, and Giulia Sartori and Lucia Sartori of Lebanon, CT; his brother David Senkbeil of TX and his sister Audrey Buckwell and her husband Bud of Columbia, SC.; his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Gary Senkbeil.

There are no calling hours. His Celebration of Life will be held on Friday April 12, 2024 at 4:00pm at the Columbia Congregational Church, 325 Route 87, Columbia, CT 06237.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob" A. Senkbeil, please visit our floral store.

 
Robert "Bob" Senkbeil
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CT Updates
Inside IBEW local 35
Michael G. Amenta (retired)

James Kelly Sr.

James J. Kelly Sr., 80, of Burlington, CT, beloved husband of Frances (Nancy) O'Neil Kelly, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 11, 2023. He was born on March 16, 1942 in White Plains, NY, the son of the late Joseph & Helen (Dotsch) Kelly.

Jim was a veteran of the US Army and had been stationed in Germany as a radio repairman from 1962 to 1965. When he returned he joined Local 35 Electrical Union and was a member for 36 years until he retired in 2003.

Jim lived in Burlington since 1967 and was a former Member of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. He also volunteered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Bristol, and was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Collinsville.

Over the years, Jim enjoyed golfing, household projects, yard work, and spending time with his friends, neighbors, pets & family. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He loved to laugh and maintained a lifelong keen sense of humor.

Besides his wife Nancy, he is survived by his son James Kelly Jr and his wife Nicole of Portland, CT, his daughter Elizabeth Kelly of Bristol, CT, his stepson Robert Michaud Jr and his wife Tina of Southington, CT, his stepdaughter Lauren Perryman of Florida, his grandchildren Karen & Nicholas Kelly, and Grace & Ella Michaud, and his sister Kelly Lind of Scottsdale, AZ.

Jim was predeceased by his infant daughter Laura, his first wife Karen Mueller Kelly, his brother Fred Kelly and his son Brent, and his brother-in-law Vern Lind.



Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Friday, March 17, from 5:00 -7:00 pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday, March 18 at 10:15 am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Patrick (at 11:00 am), 7 Burlington Ave, Collinsville.



In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jim's name to either Salvation Army Bristol Corps Soup Kitchen, 19 Stearns Street, Bristol, Connecticut 06010 1-800-SAL-ARMY or Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. To send online condolences to the family, please visit http://www.ahernfuneralhome.com.

 

 
James Kelly Sr.
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Katherine DiBenedetto spouse of Tito

Hartford Courant Recent Obituaries: All of Hartford Courant's Recent Obituaries (legacy.com)

 

KATHERINE DIBENEDETTO OBITUARY

Katherine K. DiBenedetto (Holcomb) of Middletown, devoted wife of the late Tito A. DiBenedetto, passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 7, 2023. Kathy was born on October 20, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut to William G. Holcomb and Katherine (Koch) Holcomb. She was raised in the Forestville area and attended local schools, graduating from Bristol Eastern High School. Kathy met the love of her life, Tito when they were both just 16 years old, and they married on November 26, 1960. The young couple moved to the Westfield section of Middletown, where they raised three children and continued to reside in their home for 58 years. Kathy loved caring for her husband, children, and grandchildren, and her nurturing nature extended to her many nieces and nephews, as well as the children and grandchildren of friends. She could often be found in the kitchen preparing for holiday gatherings, and was renowned for her delicious apple pies, which she generously baked, and Tito proudly delivered to fortunate recipients annually. The celebration of Christmas Eve was a dearly held tradition for Kathy and Tito, who welcomed the extended DiBenedetto family into their warm and inviting home each year. A talented crafter, Kathy enjoyed meeting with friends and attending classes to learn new skills; she made gorgeous counted cross stitch and felted needlework projects she used to decorate her home, or frequently gifted to anyone who admired the beautiful results of her artistry. Kathy cherished her family, to whom she was a caring and generous Mom and a wonderful and giving "Non" and Grandma. Above all else, Kathy adored her husband Tito, with whom she shared over 60 years of committed marriage until his death in July 2021. Kathy gave her all to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Kathy was a communicant of St. Pius X Roman Catholic church, where she faithfully attended weekly mass with Tito. Employed as a Teller for Connecticut Bank & Trust for many years, Kathy was well-liked by her colleagues and customers, greeting each one with a smile, providing conscientious service, and ensuring her "drawer" was always balanced. As a young mother, Kathy served as Brownie and Girl Scout leader, volunteered at Van Buren Moody School, and participated in St. Pius' Rosary Alter Society. Kathy was overjoyed to become a grandmother, and happily attended every dance recital, concert, theater production, sporting event, school, and graduation ceremony for her four beloved grandchildren. More recently, she was thrilled to witness the marriage of grandson Tom to his wife Amber. Kathy was predeceased by her beloved husband, Tito. She is survived by their loving children Maria and Steve Weinberger, Tony and Laura DiBenedetto, and Loretta and Ronald Brown, Sr., all of Middletown; grandchildren, Nichole DiBenedetto, Tom and wife Amber DiBenedetto, Mary Reinsch, and Timmy Reinsch. Kathy also leaves brothers-in-law Charlie and wife Barbara DiBenedetto, and George Fazzina, sisters Betty and husband Roy Balthazard, Tricia Rice, Mary Vachon, Nancy and husband Kevin Searles, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, sister-in-law Christine Fazzina, sister Laurie Holcomb, and brothers William and Robert Holcomb, each of whom she missed dearly. She will be remembered by far too many friends and family to mention. The family extends its sincere thanks to the staff of LiveWell in Plantsville, where Kathy resided since August 2022, for their compassionate and dedicated care. Her Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday (Jan. 13th) at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield St., Middletown. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Friends may visit with her family at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, whose mission Tito and Kathy supported, or another charitable organization of your choice. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.

Published by Hartford Courant on Jan. 11, 2023.
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