Robert G. Fracasso, Sr. of Hamden, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on April 25, 2021.
Bob, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, was born on October 15, 1925, in New Haven, CT to the late Pasquale and Julia (Perrie) Fracasso. He is survived by Evelyn, his wife; three sons: Dr. Mark (Michele) Fracasso; Atty. Robert (Susan) Fracasso; and Peter Fracasso; and two daughters: Dr. Paula (John Francis) Fracasso, and Dr. Maria Fracasso; a sister-in-law, Doris Cooney; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Alexandra, Matthew, Anna, Sarah, Nicole, and Robert, who will remember their grandfather as a loving, caring, and wise man who taught them always to conduct themselves as honorable human beings. Bob was predeceased by his brothers, Philip, John, Edward, and Richard Fracasso and his grandson, Mark Robert Fracasso, Jr.
Bob attended elementary and high school in New Haven, served in the US Army during WWII, and later graduated from Fordham University and the Yale Law School. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Carroll C. Hincks, Judge of the Federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and when his clerkship ended, he served successively as Counsel for the New York , New Haven, and Hartford Railroad; Clerk of the Hamden Town Court; Assistant Prosecutor for the 7th Circuit Court; Petitioners’ Representative for the Bureau of Support in the Court of Common Pleas in New Haven County; Director of the New Britain Legal Aid Bureau; and Assistant Corporation Counsel of New Britain.
Subsequently, Bob’s legal career changed course when he accepted a position as a Professor of Business Law at Central Connecticut State University and retired sixteen years later as Assistant Dean in the School of Business.
At the same time, Bob also began his study as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, and served at St. Rita Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Hamden and Saint Martin de Porres Church, the New Haven Correctional Center, and St. Donato’s Church in New Haven. It is important to note that he treasured the many friends he made during his years practicing law, teaching at the university, and serving as deacon in the church.
Finally, Bob was a true Renaissance man with many diverse interests. He was an avid coin collector, a stamp aficionado, a model train enthusiast (how he loved to fascinate his grandchildren with his train track setup at Christmas!), a bridge-playing buff, a computer freak, a technological fanatic, and a Spanish language lover.
The Fracasso family would like to extend a special thank you to Bob’s doctors: Thomas J. Donahue, Peter R. Huvelle, Rachel E. Laff, and their respective staffs, for the many kindnesses and compassionate care they provided their father for many years.
All are welcome for visitation from 10:00am-10:45am before the funeral mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden on April 28, 2021 at 11:00am. Mass will be followed by a burial with full military honors at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamden.
To honor Bob, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Conference of Deacons, I offer our sincere prayers to Bob’s family at this time of loss. Deacon Bob’s Faith-filled service and dedication were examples of Christ’s ministry to all he met and especially to the Deacon community. May God’s servant rest in the Peace of the Lord Deacon Joseph Ryzewski – COD Chair
Dear Evelyn and family, Please accept my deepest sympathy.,Bob was a true gentleman. He truly leaves behind a wonderful legacy. Fondly Barbara Mauriello Angelo
Prayers and blessings to Evelyn and family.
Bob and I were class mates and ordained together on Oct. 31, 1976 by the late Most Rev. John F. Wheaton, ARCHBISHOP of Hartford. We enjoyed many breakfasts with Dcn’s. Al and Ed. The conversations were always lively and provocative.
Bob was truly a man of his own with great zeal and vision. May he now rest in the merciful embrace of our Risen Lord Jesus.
Dcn. Richard (Dick) and Angela Santello
I am so deeply sorry to learn of the passing of an old friend and fellow Deacon. Bob and I go back a long way, having attended Deacon Formation Classes together, retreats and many other religious and fraternal get togethers. My sympathy to Bob’s family; we all have lost a truly great man but God has gained another angel.