Mr. Robert A. Brigockas

BRIGOCKAS, ROBERT A. Robert A. Brigockas of Madison, CT, formerly of Ivoryton and Old Lyme, died peacefully at home on October 5, 2010. Son of the late John and Helen Zemaitis Brigockas, Bob was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 17, 1943. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Melanie Gordon (Grimes) Brigockas as well as the inspiration and guidepost for the entire Brigockas-Grimes family. Bob taught history from 1971 until his retirement in 2007 at The Morgan School in Clinton, CT. There, he served as chair of the history department (1975-89), director of athletics (1983-2007), and head football coach (1971-83, 1985-87). Under Bob's guidance, the football team had an overall record of 91-54-4, with four conference championships and two undefeated seasons. In 1987, the Huskies captured the Class SS State Championship and Bob was named New Haven Register Coach of the Year. Before coming to Morgan, Bob taught and coached at East Catholic, New London and Sachem (NY) high schools. Bob was a graduate of Hauppauge High School, American International College (AIC), and SUNY-Stony Brook. A natural athlete, Bob loved and excelled in sports. At Hauppauge High he was Male Student of the Year, Athlete of the Year, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year; captain and 1st Team All League of the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams. As MVP of his basketball team, he led the Eagles to an undefeated senior season and the Suffolk County Class A Championship. In 2008, he was inducted into the Hauppauge High School Athletic Hall of Fame where he was cited as one of the five best athletes ever to have attended the school. He received a full, 4-year athletic scholarship to AIC and was a three-year varsity letter winner in football and baseball, captain of the football team, and president of Zeta Chi fraternity. In addition to Melanie, Bob leaves his son Chad Brigockas of NYC; daughter Caroline Brigockas Budney and husband John Budney and their sons Ian and William of Medford, MA; stepsons Spencer and Terence Grimes of San Francisco and Berkeley; stepdaughter Ashley Grimes of Los Angeles; "Aunt Eleanor" Brigockas Kazlauskas of Hauppauge; and niece Laura Brigockas Chmil and husband Darrell Chmil and their daughter Meadow of Florida and Saskatchewan. All loved him immensely. He was predeceased by brothers John and Kenneth Brigockas. Swan Funeral Home in Clinton will be handling the services. A celebration of Bob's life and legacy will be held Sunday, November 7, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at The Morgan School, Clinton, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Brigockas Scholarship Fund, Morgan School Athletics, 27 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT 06413.