Robert G. Bannon

Robert G. Bannon, 79, of East Hartford, loving husband of 54 years to Aileen (Torpey) Bannon, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday (October 4, 2009). Born in Hartford on May 17, 1930, a son of the late Raymond and Margaret (Giles) Bannon, Bob had been a resident of East Hartford for over 52 years. Along with his dear wife and best friend, Aileen, Bob is survived by his four children, Mary Jo Bannon of Middletown; Susan Sullivan and her four children, Timothy, Katie, Brian, and Matthew, all of Marlborough; Matt Bannon and his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Tierney, Colin, and Colleen, all of Westport; Tim Bannon and his wife, Denise, and their two sons, Connor and Michael, all of Wallingford; many nieces, nephews, friends, and former co-workers. Bob was a graduate of Bulkeley High School-Class of 1948 in Hartford. Bob joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Germany during the Korean War as an electronic technician. Bob retired from Southern New England Telephone Company as Manager of Electronic and Digital Switching Systems after thirty-five years of service. During his life, Bob served on the East Hartford Board of Education, the Democrat First District Committee, St. Mary's Church 100th Anniversary, was a member of the Telephone Pioneers Club in Hartford, and was a past director of the Crystal Springs Camp Association in Rome, ME. Bob was fortunate to have a great and rare friend, Harry Brady, as they were both gifted and generous craftsmen. Bob also enjoyed working in Maine on camp projects with his good friend, Ernie Bleau. Bob and Aileen achieved their goal of making a home of happy memories and a summer camp in Maine full of fun for their children, grandchildren, and friends. Besides his beloved parents Bob was predeceased by a son-in-law, Tom Sullivan of Marlborough and a brother, Raymond G. Bannon. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 8, at 9 a.m. from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, corner of Main Street and Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery (Section K), Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, October 7, from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions in Bob's memory may be made to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or to St. Mary's Church, 15 Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford, CT 06108. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.