Obituary of Robert I. Comstock, Sr.

Robert I. Comstock Sr. (Bob) was born in Essex, Connecticut October 9^th 1941 to Elizabeth Bannister Comstock and Walter J. Comstock Jr.  He was their fourth child of six.  He was an exceptional athlete.   He excelled at playing and enjoyed watching the game of baseball.  Bob began working at an early age, on a farm, at a local garage and was responsible for a dairy route.  His remarkable work ethic was developed very young and was an integral part of his character throughout his life. He was generous and thoughtful.  The money he earned was shared freely with those he loved.  Bob also had an adventurous spirit.  He joined the United States Army at the age of 17, earned his private pilot’s license and flew his own plane throughout New England.

Bob began a long and successful career in the automotive business at Bond Motors in Old Saybrook, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Frances Catherine Zeh (Cathy).  Bob and Cathy had two children, Carolyn and Rob.  Bob’s career flourished, moving up the ranks in sales and ultimately becoming an owner in two car dealerships, Volkswagen of Groton and Stanley Motors. 

Bob loved the outdoors and had a number of hobbies, giving up flying as his wife preferred earth-bound adventures.  She and Bob began a love affair with sailing and spending time on the water with their family and friends that lasted a lifetime.

Bob embodied the quote, “There are no strangers here; only friends we haven’t met yet.” (Wm Butler Yeats).  Bob was well known in the community and well liked.  He was an active member of Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme for many years.

Bob passed away on November 19, 2019 and is survived by his wife and children and their spouses Rory Hart and Jan Comstock, three sisters; Elizabeth West, Nancy Desnoyers and Sally LeClair and grandchildren;  Corey, Stephen, (Caitlin), Luke and Ethan Hart and Katherine Comstock as well as a large extended family. A memorial services will be held Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 PM at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road in Old Lyme. Interment will be privately held by the family in Centerbrook Cemetery in Centerbook.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Home Port Cove, Branford, CT 06404, or to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, P.O. Box 184. Essex, CT 06426.