Robert H Franklin

Robert Harding Franklin, 91, of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2015 at Hartford Hospital following a stroke. He was the husband of Jane (Hahn) Franklin. Born on August 20, 1923, in Stamford, CT, Robert (Bob) was the son of William F. and Ella (Gerken) Franklin. He was raised in Stamford, graduating from Stamford High School in 1941. He attended the Bridgeport Engineering Institute before serving in WWII in Germany as a radio technician for the US Army. A 1949 graduate of the University of Connecticut, he was awarded his MA in Public Administration from there in 1952. Following graduation, he spent a career in public service focused on non-partisan state and local governmental research. After returning to Connecticut from a number of years in Baltimore pursuing his career there, he and his family settled in Manchester. A member of Center Congregational Church since 1963, he took an active leadership role there in many capacities from heading the Men's Club to the chair of the Board of Trustees and was a founding member of MISAC, which provides low-income housing in Manchester. He was a long-time director of the Savings Bank of Manchester and served as a member and chairman of the Manchester Ethics Commission. Along with his wife, Jane, he was a strong presence in the summer community, Giant's Neck Beach, in Niantic, CT, from caring for the clay tennis court over decades, to serving as treasurer of the Association and chairing its Improvement Club. He retired as President and CEO of the Connecticut Public Expenditures Council in 1986 (and also following several terms as president of the national Governmental Research Association) after a professional life focused on helping Connecticut state government and local municipalities spend taxpayer monies wisely. A common theme in his testimonies before the legislature was "you can't spend $10 when there's only $5 in your pocket." Approaching retirement, he was asked to pursue certification as a US Tennis Association umpire and as a result, enjoyed a second career working at a variety of tennis venues: the Volvo International Tournament at Stratton Mountain, the US Open at Flushing Meadows, the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI and at countless state and local tournaments supporting USTA Youth tennis and the Special Olympics. Retirement also allowed him time to pursue his interest in genealogy research, which yielded previously unknown relatives, both immediate and far. For all of this, perhaps his proudest accomplishments were the 100 pint donor pin he was awarded by the Red Cross and his second place finish in the 80 and over age group in the 2004 Thanksgiving Day Manchester Road Race. Bob was one of those rare men who consistently extended himself to help others, expecting nothing in return; who always read about and discussed and tried to understand the many topics that roused his interest, yet never insisted his own views were correct; to whom other people, from governors and legislators to young children, would listen, without his ever needing to raise his voice; and, most of all, a man whose entire extended family, whose church congregation, whose professional associates and whose many, many friends loved and admired him profoundly, for the simple, steady and understated way he showed us how to live a good and caring and honorable life. In addition to his spouse, Jane, Bob leaves behind a loving family: his daughters, Pamela F. Vasali (Arpad) of Balatongyorok, Hungary, Deborah F. Datilio (Ron), of Georgetown, CA, Robin F. Grabek, of Lebanon, CT and Hollis F. Barry (Gery), of Lyme, CT; grandchildren Todd Mastin, Douglas Mastin, Adam Datilio, William Grabek, Jr., Melissa Grabek Smith, Sarah Grabek, Gregory Barry, Kenneth Barry and John Barry, numerous great-grandchildren and in addition, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William F. Franklin, Jr. of Meriden, NH. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11 am at Center Congregational Church, Manchester, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to Center Congregational Church, 11 Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040. To leave an online condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com



Service DetailsSaturday, April 25th, 2015 11:00am, Center Congregational Church