Robert G. Gattilia Sr.

WALLINGFORD- Robert G. Gattilia Sr., beloved husband of Joan, lifelong resident of Wallingford, died October 28, 2023 at the age of 93. The son of Robert & Secundina Gattilia, Bob was born in New Haven, CT on April 10, 1930.

A graduate of Lyman Hall High School in 1948, he also attended Quinnipiac College and Williams College. He was a member of the National Guard and after WWII was activated in 1950 to serve with the Army of Occupation in Augsburg, Germany. He began his banking career at The First National Bank (which eventually merged with Union New Haven Trust) in 1948. He served in many capacities until he left in 1981 as the Assistant Vice President to join The Meriden Trust and Safe Deposit Company as a Vice President until 1989. In 1987, with the purchase of Burg'r Tend'r, he began production of steamed cheeseburger chests in his basement and continued to run the small home-based company until 2016.

Bob was always an active member of the Wallingford Community and a long-standing member of the Wallingford Rotary Club. He was a treasurer of many organizations, which included the Visiting Nurses, the United Fund and the Center Street Cemetery Association. He also served on the board of the Wallingford Red Cross, the Wallingford Day Care Center and the Wallingford Industrial Development Commission, as well as president of the YMCAs Men's Club. His hobbies included restoring his Ford Model A, gardening, painting, stained glasswork and traveling.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joan Beverly Gattilia (Gargaly) along with four children, Robert G. Gattilia Jr. & wife Dorothy (Mezzei) of Austin TX, John M. Gattilia & wife Dena (Cosgrove) of Wallingford CT, Janet L. Rivera & husband John of Wallingford CT, Lynn E. Ruwet & partner Christopher Diener of Ware MA. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Robert G. Gattilia III, Michael Gattilia, Brandon Rivera, Christopher Rivera, Jennifer Tibbetts (Gattilia), Anne Gattilia, Kenneth Ruwet and Rachel Ruwet, in addition to two step-grandchildren, Brighid Timek (Cosgrove) and Cili Cosgrove plus six great grandchildren, one step great grandchild and one great-great grandchild. He is predeceased by his sister, Roberta Jean Guandalini and his grandchild, Susanne Ramsey (Gattilia).

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm Street in Wallingford. There will be a life celebration service immediately following calling hours at 4:00 pm. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.BaileyCares.com. 

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