Obituary of George Umberto Robotti

George Umberto Robotti, a long-time resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Friday,  November 9, 2018, surrounded by family, in Burlington, VT after a short illness.  George was born August 28, 1928.  He was 90.

A wake will be held at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 453 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT (203)-359-9999 on Wednesday, November 14 from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Ave., Stamford, CT  on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

A native of Stamford and was the son of Frank Robotti and Madeline Ariotti Robotti., George was synonymous with the Star Confectionary and Star Liquor stores, which he operated with his brothers Francis (Fritz) and Charles Robotti and his sister Alice Robotti Lockwood. Started in 1905 by his father, The Star Confectionary, originally on Main Street, was known for its homemade ice cream and candy and was the meeting place for many Stamfordites after football and basketball games, the movies or after school. It closed in 1988. Star Liquors obtained one of the first post-Prohibition permits in Stamford in 1933 and is still being operated by Keir Curran, George's great nephew and the great grandson of its founder. The stores moved from their original location to Broad Street after they were destroyed by fire in 1971.

George graduated from St. John's Elementary School and was a  member of Stamford High School's class of 1947. He went on to study Finance at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, where he obtained a BBA Degree in 1951.

He was a fifth degree member of St. Augustine Council 43 of the Knights of Columbus and served on the Board of Directors of the Stamford Italian Center for 49 years and was appointed to the Advisory Board upon his retirement. He was a charter member of the Italian Center Men's Club and the Stamford Chapter of UNICO International. In addition, he was active in the Stamford Package Store Association, served as a Director of the State Package Store Association and the State Street Debating Society and was on the Advisory Board of St. Bridget's Church in Stamford. Upon moving to Burlington, VT in 1999, he became active in the Northshore Home Owners' Association and then, then the Residents' Council at The Lodge in Shelburne, VT.

George is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean Bonomo Robotti, of Shelburne, VT;  his daughter, Jo-Ann Robotti and her husband, Joseph Messing, of Shelter Island, NY; his daughter, Janet Ely and her husband David, of Underhill, VT, as well as his granddaughters Elizabeth Kaplan and her husband, Adam, of Bend, OR and Erika Lemcke and her husband, Steve and his grandson, Joshua, all of Burlington, VT.

He is also survived by his friend of more than 80 years, Leo P. "Skeets" Gallagher, Jr., who he met in Mrs. Leonard's second grade class at St. John's Grammar School.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the State Street Debating Society's Scholarship Fund C/O Craig Johnson 14 Caldwell Terrace Danbury, CT 06810 and The St. Jude Children's Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.)  Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home. To send on-line condolences to the Robotti Family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com