Obituary: Robert H. “Bob” Nixon

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Robert H. “Bob” Nixon
NAUGATUCK – Robert H. “Bob” Nixon, 88, lifelong resident of Naugatuck, died Monday Feb. 14, with his family at his side.

Bob was born on Jan. 31, 1923, in Waterbury, son of the late Emmett and Carrie (Mills) Nixon. He received his primary and secondary educations in the Naugatuck school system, went on to attend Ohio State University, and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. Bob saw active duty on rigorous Pacific and European tours, sailing on the anti-submarine destroyer, USS Hurst. After the war, he returned to college on the GI Bill and became captain of Ohio State’s swim team, a Chi Phi fraternity member, and met his beloved wife of 64 years, Kemmy (Kemp), a Delta Zeta.

After they married, Bob became captain of the lifeguards at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, and then began a long career in management in the footwear division of Uniroyal. During this time, he took an active role in the community, becoming a swim coach for the Naugatuck High School swim team, co-founding the Naugatuck Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad, and being appointed deputy chief of the Naugatuck Volunteer Fire Department. After retiring from Uniroyal after 33 years of loyal, dedicated service, Bob’s love of golfing, fishing, long walks with the dogs, and family summers on Cape Cod took center stage.

In addition to his wife, Kemmy (Kemp), Bob is survived by his daughter, Sheryl (Nixon), and her husband, Victor Muzzillo, of Prospect; and his son, Mark Nixon, and his wife, Elizabeth (Hellawell), of Massachusetts; and four grandchildren; Allegra (Muzzillo) Kosofsky, and her husband, Michael, of New York; Kemmy Trottier, and her husband, Todd, of Rhode Island; Samuel Nixon, and his partner, Kelli Mitchell, of Massachusetts, and Ryan Nixon, of Massachusetts; and two great-grandchildren, Alexia Nixon and Cameron Trottier.

Calling hours are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on the green in Naugatuck. Burial will follow in St. James’ Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Naugatuck Firefighters Local 1219, PO Box 571, Naugatuck, CT, 06770.