obits pg 6 12-1-22
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Robert ‘Bob’ Gaumond
POMFRET CENTER — Robert “Bob” Gaumond died Nov. 18, 2022, in his beloved Pomfret home, with his wife Pamela by his side, after a valiant, 21-year battle with a brain tumor.
Bob was born Nov. 28, 1956, in N. Grosvenordale.
Bob attended St. Joseph’s School and later graduated with an automotive degree from the Tourtellotte/Ellis Technical School joint program. As a child, Bob and his family spent summers in their Airstream trailer at Rawson’s Campground on Quaddick Lake and traveling cross country.
Bob’s first job was at Gaumond Brother’s Concrete in N. Grosvenordale which his father Lucien and Uncle Clarence owned and operated.
Bob later opened his own business, Bob’s Mobile Repair, a mobile automotive repair business out of a large red and black van.
Bob eventually forwent self-employment and went to work for LaFramboise Well Drilling where he worked for more than 30 years. While shop foreman at Laframboise, he engineered and built several special use drill rigs from the ground up. He was immensely proud of these builds.
Bob built his first home in Thompson, in his early 20s.
This home was very unique, entirely made out of concrete, built underground, into the side of a hill.
Many individuals have fond memories of swimming in the indoor pool and working in his expansive garage.
Bob was a keen craftsman; there was nothing he could not build or fix.
He had a particular love for building race cars. He started building and racing Late Model Stock Cars at the Thompson Speedway and was fondly known as Bobby G. Racing was a family sport.
He and his son Cliff built Mini Stocks and Strickly Stocks together.
Bob later stepped away from racing himself and had several drivers, but none so loved as Robert Palmer who started with him as a crew member at the age of 21.
Rob drove Strickly Stocks, Late Models and Sunoco Modifieds for Bob.
This partnership resulted in a special friendship, many wins and a lifetime of treasured memories.
Bob stopped racing soon after his diagnosis.
He focused his time working at LaFramboise and on building a new home, set on a serene, wildlife-filled property in Pomfret. This home was intricately designed and even included hardwood floors made from lumber from the property.
Bob took great pride in his yard. He particularly loved his vegetable gardens and his beautiful goldfish ponds. Bob enjoyed watching the wildlife that surrounded his home. He enjoyed spending cold days sitting by the woodstove he designed and built.
Bob also took great pride in restoring a 1931 Ford 5 Window Coupe.
He designed and manufactured many of the components himself on his prized Bridgeport. Many will miss seeing the familiar yellow coupe driving around town.
Bob was fortunate enough to travel and enjoyed cruises and trips with his wife to Cape Cod and the Caribbean.
In addition to his wife Pamela, he leaves his children, Dr. Gwenn Gaumond (Sean Fitzmaurice) of Woodstock, his son Clifford Gaumond of Midland, N.C., and their mother Diane Gaumond of New London; his stepchildren Benjamin Zern (Nicole) of Brooklyn, Jennifer Zern (Seavor Skinner) of Plainfield; sisters Rachel Fortin of Brooklyn and Anita Wells of N. Fort Myers, Fla.; grandchildren Boston, Lucien, Jackson, Noah, Emmit and Selena. Bob was predeceased by his parents Lucien and Dorothy Gaumond.
A celebration of life will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 14 2023, in the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School St., Webster. He will be buried at a later date at the East Thompson Cemetery in the perfect spot— surrounded by many close friends and overlooking the Thompson Speedway.
Donations: Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance at: https://ctbta.org/support-fight/how-give
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