Mr. Robert R. Saracen 84, of Newtown, CT. passed away peacefully from complications due to Parkinson’s disease on Friday May 21, at Lutheran Home in Southbury, CT. He was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010. Originally from the Boston area Mr. Saracen was born October 10, 1936, in Lynn Massachusetts, the son of the late Alpino and Leona (Hudson) Saraceni.
He graduated from Lynn English High School class of 1955 and attended Emerson College. Bob began his career in broadcasting as a radio announcer for WCCM in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Eventually he transitioned to the growing television industry continuing his career in sales and station management. In 1973 Bob joined Blair Television in Chicago selling advertising time for stations across the country. He remained with Blair in a variety of management roles before returning to New York City where he served as an Executive VP of sales, administration and as head of the Sales Training Program he helped to develop and launch years earlier.
Bob enjoyed mentoring younger people professionally and helping others through doing volunteer work within the church and community charities. In 1984 he was appointed as a business advisor to President Reagan’s “Project Independence” committee on developmental disabilities and also managed the “Hireability” campaign, promoting work opportunities for people with disabilities. Bob retired in 1995.
Bob was passionate about jazz, big band music and all things Sinatra. He enjoyed skiing, handball and playing bocce with family and friends. During his retirement years he especially enjoyed living by the ocean in Maine and gardening with his wife Marie. His greatest joy was his devotion to his wife, family, and his grandchildren, who will miss his goofy sense of humor and his unending attempts to make them laugh.
In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, Marie; Bob is survived by his 3 children, 7 grandchildren, one great grandson and their families; daughter Cate-Gordon Peters (Celia and Mia) of Champlin Minnesota, daughter Lisa Bonsanti (Joseph, Nicoletta and Anthony) of New Canaan Ct, and son Bob Jr.- Brenda (Nico, Isabella) of Newtown CT, his brother Don and his wife Cherie of Bristol Rhode Island, and nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on July 17, Wake -10:00am and Mass-11:00am. Both to be held at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St Street, Southbury, CT 06488. Interment of Ashes will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory can be made to The Sr. Eileen Boffa, Ministry to the Homeless at https://www.sistersofmercy.org/northeast/donate/
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