Bruce Robinson

Bruce Robinson, 77, of East Hartford, beloved husband for 56 years of Donna (Skehan) Robinson, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2016 with his family by his side at Hartford Hospital. Born in Jamaica Plains, NY on August 28, 1938, he was the son of the late James and Helen (Black) Robinson. Bruce attended the University of Hartford and went on to become a successful engineer at Pratt & Whitney, retiring after 52 years of dedicated service. He was a member of the first little league team founded in East Hartford. As an avid New York Yankee fan and baseball lover, he was a longtime coach and former President of East Hartford Little League, volunteering over 25 years of his time. He coordinated and coached for the J.C. Courant Baseball League and was the co-founder of the East Hartford Fall College Baseball Program. A loving father and grandfather, Bruce will be dearly missed by his devoted wife Donna; four children, Deb Marciano of Pepperell, MA, Diane Burnat of East Hartford, Dawn Ashley and husband Tony of East Hartford and James Robinson and wife Patricia of Tolland and his seven beloved grandchildren, Melanie Burnat, Corey and Kevin Marciano, Greg and Olivia Ashley and Julia and Samantha Robinson. Bruce enjoyed spending his time at his grandchildren's baseball games, basketball games, dance recitals, concerts, cheerleading events and gymnastic meets. He is also survived by his brother, Jeff Robinson and wife Eleanor and two sisters, Linda Robinson and Laurie Hammerschmidt and husband Lou, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 15th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Rd., East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Hartford. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bruce's memory may be made to Wounded Warriors or the American Heart Association . To share a memory of Bruce with his family, please visit www.desopo.com.