Robert J. Soares

Born in New Britain CT, on November 30, 1931, Bob was the second oldest of five children; four sons and a daughter. Following graduation from New Britain High School in 1949, and while working part time in his father’s successful business, American Window Cleaning as well as handling bookkeeping and accounting, Bob enrolled at Central Connecticut State College to begin his life’s career.

His college was interrupted after two years with a calling to join our military, when he and a friend enlisted in the US Navy. Stationed in Boston for four years at the US Naval Receiving Station as Supervisor of the Officers’ office; maintaining all personnel records for the department, Bob had a staff of 15 reporting to him. He attained an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Personnel Specialist, Second Class.

He then resumed his college career graduating in January 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in Business Administration from Central. As a student teacher in the Middletown School district, he inspired his classes, teaching them about the stock market, actually forming and registering a company that bought and sold stocks. The students made a beeline to his class each day to grab a copy off the stack of Wall Street Journal newspapers he secured to see how their investments were doing. He created quite the buzz of excitement.

After high school, Bob began dating the love of his life, Kathleen Greco from Kensington CT. who was a nursing student at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, CT. Soon there was no one else for him. They married on April 23, 1955 at St Paul’s Church in Kensington, CT. They purchased their first home in Kensington.

Beginning a 40-year career in 1958 at IBM in marketing as a Systems Engineer, later being promoted to Systems Engineer Manager, he assisted companies with best business practices using IBM large mainframe computers and satellite computers, new to the industry. Bob also graduated from IBM’s rigorous course, Systems Research Institute (akin to a master’s degree) and The Dale Carnegie Course: Effective Communications & Human Relations and Public Speaking. Always learning, he brushed up on his high school French by taking additional classes at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

Bob retired as a manager of IBM Litigation, having been an integral part of IBM’s successful win, United States v. International Business Machines Corp. case. This assignment included two years in San Francisco and later as a retired IBM employee, became a consultant with the IBM retained premier US law firm of Cravath Swain and Moore. His love of math, the law and a good debate, Bob was an excellent choice to bring all aspects of his talents together over his successful career. He attained the coveted and challenging IBM marketing 100% Club annually during his many years in marketing by meeting or exceeding the quota of business assigned to him and his team and enjoyed mentoring up-and-coming sales staff as their manager. Always a “can do” person, Bob loved the challenge of a tough sale. He was very proud of his career at IBM and IBM Blue was a part of his being.

Throughout his life, Bob was always active enjoying many sports. Among them were his accomplishments and enjoyment of golf, tennis, swimming, skiing, horseback riding and daily runs before breakfast and the commute to his office, having successfully participated in many 5K races in Danbury. With great anticipation of a grandchild in 1985, Bob and Kathy purchased a small cottage on Candlewood Lake and a boat for family fun, adding water skiing to the family list.

Music was always a love of Bob’s. He was a piano student for three years as a boy, and became his daughter, Cheryl’s first piano teacher. He also bought himself a Hammond organ complete with bass foot pedals, that he gave to grandson, Bradley at Christmas, then aged 5 as he showed interest in music. With a 61-key keyboard, Bob brought his music to local Danbury assisted living facilities to sing, play and entertain with his daughter as his support and roadie. Wintering originally in Margate FL, Bob entertained and sang at the well-attended monthly pool side Margarita parties, always ending with a rousing rendition of “My Way” under the stars with friends joining in. In addition, he found fun with learning the guitar and ukulele and with the ukulele provided entertainment from the backseat of the car by singing for his wife and daughter on long drives. His love of music took him and his family to many concerts and his front row attendance at grandson, Bradley’s jazz gigs with “Jazz for Juniors” playing trumpet brought him great joy. Bob’s love of music inspired daughter, Cheryl and grandson, Brad. To this day, both are avid participants with Brad having made a career of it.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ida and Henry Soares; and his brothers, Henry, Bill and Wayne.

Survivors include his loving wife Kathy (Kathleen R. Greco) of nearly 70 years of marriage; also his daughter, Cheryl A. Fisher of Bonita Springs FL. formerly of Danbury CT; a grandson, Bradley C. Fisher (Stephanie) of Fairfield CT; and great grandpa to Theodore (Teddy) and Josephine (Joey); also his sister, Linda (Paul) Gouthro of Bristol CT and many nieces and nephews.

A successful self-made man of true loyalty and integrity, Bob was first, a family man, wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a member of St. Peter Catholic Church. Bright, astute, logical, mechanically inclined and social with a gift of gab and a great wit, he enjoyed every relationship with his family, many friends and business associates. Bob will be truly missed by his family, friends and so many that had the opportunity to have met and know him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Peter Church, Main St., Danbury CT on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10:30am followed by a luncheon to receive family and friends at Ridgewood Country Club, Danbury at 12:00 noon to celebrate Bob’s fabulous life.

There will be no calling hours and burial will be private with full Military honors on Monday, March 31, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family scholarship, K of C Alfred E. Greco Scholarship Fund, Knights of Columbus, PO Box 262, Kensington CT 06037 or to a charity of one’s choice. This scholarship commenced in 1978 and continues uninterrupted to the present to honor Kathy’s father, who was the First Grand Knight of the Chapter.