Obituary of Robert Charles Jacino

Loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa Robert Charles Jacino passed from this earth on 10-16-13 in Stamford, Ct. Bob was a current resident of Stamford, and formerly of Darien, Westport and Groton, CT and Lake Bluff, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Sarah, his brother Willie, and his sister Marie. Robert was born on 9-2-31 in Brooklyn, NY, a first-generation American from Italian immigrant parents. He was the first in his family to go to college, and earned his Bachelors of Science in chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was later one of the first Italian Americans to attend Yale University, earning a Master's of Science degree. He worked as a chemical engineer at Pfizer, Inc. in Groton, CT, and then as a Director of International Operations at Abbott Labs. In later years, he worked for John Brown Engineering on global construction projects, a job which afforded him many opportunities to travel the world, managing plant construction projects in Mexico, the U.S., India, Ireland, England, and elsewhere. He was especially dedicated to building antibiotic manufacturing facilities, which he felt were crucial to the improvement of public health worldwide. He shared his love of travel with his wife, Mary Jane, and they moved for a time to China during the birth of the modern Chinese economy, creating treasured memories and lasting friends throughout Asia. In later years in Stamford, he loved gardening, puttering around the house and reading. He adored the natural beauty of his home, including his beloved Cove Beach and his lush back yard, where he would often sit to watch the birds. His greatest pleasure came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchild, all of whom he adored in the ways only a grandfather can. He especially relished passing on his lifelong love of swimming to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and several related dogs. Bob is survived by his loving wife Mary Jane; his children Mary Kathleen (Derron) Saffold of Aurora, Il; Robert Peter (Cheryl) of Dublin, OH; Michael Thomas (Lisa) of Titusville, NJ; Mark Patrick (Lisa) of Aurora, IL; his grandchildren Katie, Christina, Liz, Beth, Tim, Nathan, Luke, Marcus, Stephanie and Jake; one great-granddaughter Brianna; and many nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien on Tuesday, October 22. If you are so moved, the family members are accepting donations toward the purchase of a memorial bench at Cove Beach in Stamford; otherwise, please donate to the charity of your choice. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820