Robert W. Deely obituary

#MiddleburyCT #Obituary

Decorated Waterbury Police Lieutenant of 38 years

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert W. Deely, 92, of Middlebury announce his peaceful passing on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Vitas Inpatient Unit of St Mary’s Hospital. He was the devoted husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” Deely who passed away just 9 months ago.

Bob was born on March 29, 1932, in Waterbury, the son of the late Joseph E. and Olive (Porch) Deely. He graduated from Sprague School, attended Sacred Heart High School but graduated from Wilby because the principal at Sacred Heart wouldn’t let him play baseball.

At the age of 19, Bobby enlisted in the United States Army at the beginning of the Korean War, He was hoping to be sent to Korea where he could join his brother in defending his country, but his eyesight prevented his assignment, so he was sent to Germany to support the war efforts. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home to Waterbury and worked at Scovill Mfg. Co.

While working in the Brass City, he applied to the Waterbury Police Dept and in early 1955 he was sworn as a Waterbury police officer. Bob served the city for 38 years and retired at the rank of lieutenant. He was a highly decorated and revered officer. He was a founding officer of the Waterbury Youth Squad, served in the detective bureau for most of his career and was the longest serving commander of the vice and intelligence division. He was admired by his fellow officers, had a keen sense of criminal behavior, and was responsible for solving many of Waterbury’s most significant cases during his tenure.

What was most important to Bob though, was his family, especially his soulmate and best friend in life, Betty. If you saw Bob, Betty was never far behind. They were literally inseparable. They loved traveling to Maine and dining at the best of restaurants.

Bob was exceptional in almost every way, but he excelled the most at being a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends and the Waterbury Police Department, and he was a “giant” of everything “good” – humility, integrity and generosity. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know and love him.

Left to honor his memory and cherish his legacy are his children, sons Chief Patrick Deely of the Middlebury Police Department and his wife, Theresa, of Watertown and Robert Jr. and his wife, Cathy, of Monroe and his daughter, Debra Pelletier and her husband, Donald, of Oxford. Betty and Bob were blessed with three grandchildren, Kristen Howe and her husband, Eric; Sgt. Michael Deely of the Naugatuck Police Department and his wife, Molly; and Sean and Elisa Deely; and three great-grandchildren, Henry, Luke and Guy.

Funeral services for Mr. Deely were held July 17 with a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. Burial with full military and police departmental honors followed in Mt Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Waterbury handled the arrangements.

To honor Bob’s memory, a donation to PAL at www.waterburypal.org would be greatly appreciated by his family. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the Deely family, please visit www.caseyfunerals.com.