Robert Summers Potterton, Sr.

ROBERT SUMMERS POTTERTON SR., 86, of Coventry, CT, passed at his home of 65 years into everlasting rest on May 9, 2021. 

Bob was born in Manchester, CT on August 20, 1935 to Russell and Mabel (Robb) Potterton.  Growing up in Manchester Bob was best known in school for his marksmanship on the Rifle Team and continued to enjoy target shooting with his two sons into his senior years.  Bob leaves the love of his life, Joan Alice Nevue of Manchester whom he married in 1953. They moved shortly thereafter to Coventry. 

Bob studied Business Administration at UConn and with his father and brother, Russell, managed Potterton’s appliance and music store at 130 Center St, Manchester, later moving the store to the plaza the family built at 428 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.  He spent the final years of his career securing the lobby of OBB at Pratt & Whitney where he enjoyed interacting with the employees and playing music in the lobby on Fridays to celebrate the coming weekend.  Bob was a volunteer fire fighter and chair of the nominating committee of the Coventry Republican Party.  He was a congregant of the United Methodist Church of Bolton where he served as a member of the choir and as Treasurer.

Bob’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends both at home and at the family’s cottage on Andover Lake.  He and his family made an annual trip to the beaches of Ocean Park, Maine to visit with his friend of over 80 years, Jack Caldwell, his wife Jane and their two daughters.

Bob is predeceased by his brother, Russell Potterton and his wife Elaine, and leaves his daughter Dawn Kamay and her husband Robert, his sons Robert S. Potterton Jr. and his wife Angela (nee Church) and Glenn Russell Potterton and his wife Patti (nee McTighe).  Just prior to his passing he was lovingly cared for by his granddaughter, Kristen Marie McSweeney.  He also leaves grandchildren, Robert Summers Potterton III and his wife Carissa (nee Bousfield), Erica Potterton, Ryan Potterton and his wife, Miranda (nee Richardson), Kyle Potterton, and great grandchildren, Alayjah, Odessa, Lauren, Adam and Kimberly.

Bob will be deeply missed for his devotion to his wife and family, for his love of a joke, contagious laugh and for his kindness to everyone he ever met. 

A memorial service will be held at a future date for immediate family and friends.

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