Robert "Bob" B. Loomis Jr

Robert "Bob" Belmont Loomis Jr., 78, of Willimantic, CT, passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 after a brief but courageous battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Mansfield, CT on November 16, 1933 to the late Robert B. Loomis, Sr. and Mary (Bartholomew) Loomis. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sharon (Racicot) Loomis, three loving daughters and their husbands, Elaine and Charlie Whitehouse, Beth and Peter Lane, and Melanie and Sam Spencer; three grandsons, Christopher Whitehouse, Justin and Brian Lane; a loving sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Ernie Herrick and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sisters Christine Legace and Virginia Loomis. Bob was a member of the Eagleville Fire Department where he reached the level of Captain and was honored a Life Member of 62 years. Bob graduated from Windham High School in 1952, married Sharon on October 13, 1956 and began serving in the Army on November 16, 1956, his 23rd birthday. After returning to Connecticut in October, 1958 he began work at UCONN, worked bridge construction, did custom building with Peterson Builders of Tolland for over 25 years and has spent the last 14 years providing customer service at Gates GMC. Bob was an avid gardener, polka dancer, fisherman and was known for telling a good joke or two. There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held on Oct. 6, 2012 at 11:00am in Storrs Cemetery, North Eagleville Rd., Storrs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society - CT Chapter, 659 Tower Avenue, 1st Floor, Hartford CT 06112-1269. Arrangements through Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .