Robert Ellsworth Gay, 94, of Westbrook and Clinton, formerly of Essex, devoted husband of 74 years to the late Hazel (Doane) Gay, died Oct. 29 in Chester. He was born Jan. 14, 1919 in Middletown to the late Ellsworth Alger Gay and Augusta (LaPlace) Gay. 

Bob spent his early years living in Essex and Hadlyme, where the Connecticut River was his playground. He had a love for the river and the steamship Hartford all his life and was a member of the Connecticut River Museum. He attended two one-room school houses in Hadlyme, the North School and the South School, and was a 1937 graduate of the Nathan Hale School.

Bob proudly served as a United States sailor in World War ll. Throughout their marriage, Bob and Hazel lived in Westbrook and Clinton, where they were members of the Elks Club and the Grange. After Bob’s retirement from Uarco, Inc., he and Hazel enjoyed winters in Florida and traveling in their RV throughout the United States with the Good Sam Club.

Bob was passionate about family history, and a member of the Old Saybrook Historical Society. He spent many of his retirement years researching his family roots, first by car, then when he was 80 years old he got his first computer and used it to complete the documentation of his family tree. He loved talking about family and the history of Essex and Hadlyme. In his free time he also enjoyed painting and music.

Bob is survived by his daughters Bonnie Mosher of Clinton, Janet Clark and her husband John of Coral Springs, Florida, Linda Maynard and her husband Joel of Westbrook and Pamela Anderson and her husband Harry of Killingworth; ten grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great- great- grandchildren.

The Swan Funeral Home is in charge of private funeral arrangements.  For online tributes and condolences, visit www.swanfh.com.