On July 4, 2019, our father, Robert (Bob) Francis Carroll, Jr, age 74, passed away.

He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., to the late Anne Mary Ferchak Carroll and Robert Francis Carroll. He was a Boy Scout and attended Bassick High School, and in his later years he took business classes at Sacred Heart University. He married Mary Ann Robling and moved to Fairfield to raise their two children, Coleen Mary Carroll Lane and Robert Francis Carroll, III. Bob’s religion, his military service, and being a member of the Knights of Columbus were very important to him, but above all being a loving father to Coleen and Rob and a proud grandfather to Emily Rose Lane, whom he was most proud of. He loved his country and his service and had many stories to tell about being in the Army Reserves.

He was a Eucharist Minister at St Thomas Aquinas Church where his children received their sacraments. For many years Bob held many roles in the Knights of Columbus, and before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s he was in charge of renting the Knights of Columbus hall in Fairfield. He would take his granddaughter with him and while they waited for the families they would play a few games of pool. From working on his GED to fixing things rather than buying new to taking care of his lawn and setting up the outside Christmas lights, he was always up to something. Bob installed central air to his home, built decks, and built a play-set for his granddaughter, and we never had to call a handyman because Dad did it all.

The Knights of Columbus sells Tootsie Rolls to benefit the Special Olympics and there were weeks our house was filled with hundreds of candy boxes. He loved taking pictures and sharing those for all to see. Throughout his blue collar career, he was a hard-working provider for his family and he held many titles such as roofer, parts manager, and school bus driver. He worked for many years at U.S. Surgical Corporation as a parts supervisor as well as Beiersdorf, to name a few. In his spare time he loved owning a boat with his father, from the repair work to enjoying the boat rides throughout the summer. He enjoyed watching Red Sox baseball games, NASCAR (with Jeff Gordon being his favorite driver), WWE Wrestling, and listening to country music. His favorites of ginger ale and licorice were always in the cabinets.

He is survived by his children, Coleen of Sandy Hook, Conn., and Rob with his husband, Michael Nigro, of Monroe, Conn.; his granddaughter, Emily of Sandy Hook, Conn.; his sisters, Barbara Anne Linnen of Colorado and Annie Kowalski of Florida; his former wife, MaryAnn Carroll of Derby; and his great-grandkitties, Oliver and Finn of Sandy Hook. Bob would always say with a smile that he was the “rose between two thorns” to his sisters. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.

His wake took place on July 11, 2019, at the Spadaccino and Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home in Monroe, Conn. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 12, 2019, at St Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield. He was buried with Military Honors.

Bob’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the healthcare professionals at Newtown Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center for their care and commitment for Bob over the past two years. Coleen and Rob learned from their Dad the importance of working hard and taking care of their families and helping others. Giving back to the community and helping others were an important part of Bob’s life. Contributions may be made to the Beth-El Center, 90 New Haven Avenue, Milford CT 06460.

Dad: Your love, patience, wisdom, sense of humor, and work ethic will live on with us forever. You have given us gifts that are more precious than anything in this world. Goodbye, Dad. You will always live in our hearts. He will be missed by all who knew him. We have lost a great father but heaven has gained a great handyman.