Avon Obituary: Robert Hannah, 93

After a full life well lived, and at his home with family and those closest to him, Robert Charles Hannah, 93 of Farmington passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Bob was the beloved husband of the late Audrey (Leighton) Hannah. In Bob's own words, "after collecting a lot of brass rings, it was about time to get off the merry-go-round."

A native of Wellesley, MA, son of the late Charles and Marion (Porter) Hannah, Bob received his BA from Stanford University and served proudly in the US Army during W.W.II. Bob moved with his family to California as a teenager but never lost touch with his childhood sweetheart, Audrey Leighton, in Wellesley. In 1944 they married as Bob departed for flight training in the Army Air Corps and the Pacific theater. Bob subsequently served as an officer, flying observation aircraft over the Japanese mainland with American post-war occupation forces.

Bob and his wife eventually came to Simsbury where they raised their family before moving to Avon in 1979. Bob retired as Corporate Secretary for the Hartford Financial Services in 1984. He and his wife Audrey enjoyed a happy retirement together with family, friends, golf, travel, and athletics until her death in 1998. Despite his loss, Bob found happiness with family, his grand and great grandchildren and many friends made over the years. His social life was active with golf, bridge, and travel as he always sought to squeeze the "last drop of juice" out of life.

Bob was a member of the Simsbury Conservation Commission and served on a committee that established Simsbury Farms and Golf Course. He was a member, Deacon, and Trustee of the West Avon Congregational Church, traveled to Jamaica to serve in the church's missionary work, was active in community affairs at Farmington Woods, and a member of the VFW Post in Avon. Later Bob was a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society.

Bob's scholarly intellect and amazing literary talent remained with him to the end. He took pleasure in reading and debate over the metaphysical and the current. He never failed to demonstrate his creative wit through a wide variety of writings, from the humorous, to the thought provoking, to the informative. While at Farmington Woods, Bob authored a column, "Valley Adventures," as a contributor to the community's regular newsletter. In 2015 Bob published his memoirs, Growing Up … sort of. (available on AMAZON books.) Humor, wit, doing for others, family, entertaining friends, and a passion for taking the best out of life, were Bob's hallmarks.

To Bob, family meant everything. He is survived by two sons Charles Hannah of Glastonbury and Craig Hannah and his wife Jane of Simsbury, two daughters, Christine Davis and her husband Robert of Fairhaven, MA and Carol Kurimay and her husband Andrew of Keene, NH. Bob also had eight grandchildren, Todd Hannah of Malaysia, Laura (Tribou) Massey of MA., Will Tribou of NY, Karen Sims of N.J., Patricia (Kurimay) Mayhew of Virginia, Zachary Kurimay of NH., Douglas Hannah of TX., and Wesley Hannah of NY. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Saki Hannah and Jeanine Hannah of New Zealand, Jean-Paul Hannah of CA., Nancy (Leighton) Stackhouse of CO., Jeffrey Leighton of ME., and Susan (Leighton) Grillo of MA. He was predeceased by his niece Judy (Leighton) Hoyt. Bob took great pride in the lives and accomplishments of thirteen great grandchildren, spread from the east coast of America to Malaysia. In addition, Bob leaves his dear friend, Jean Little, together with whom he enjoyed many happy days during his later years, Napolean Brown his loving caregiver, Joan Thomas, Deborah Butt, Priscilla Laubenstein and many other close friends, including those at the Farmington Woods community. Bob was predeceased by his wife Audrey in 1998, two brothers, Richard in 1947 and Ronald in 2009, and his parents, Marion and Charles in 1945 and 1946 respectively.

Friends may call at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon on Saturday, May 14, from 4 to 6 PM. A Memorial Service in celebration of Bob's life will be held on Sunday May 15 at 4 PM at the West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon. The Rev. Dr. Brian Hardee, Pastor will officiate. A reception and supper gathering will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. A private family interment with military honors will be held at the convenience of the family.

Contributions may be made to the West Avon Congregational Church.

See more at www.carmonfuneralhome.com.