Robert J. Grab

Robert J. Grab, 61, died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at 3:33 p.m. at his home in Waterbury after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born March 15, 1954, in Chester, Pa., the oldest son of Christian R. and Hedwig “Honey” (Skulski) Grab.

Bob’s wide and creative interests spun a varied professional career, included producing musical programming for public television. His artistic ability then led him to work for the Franklin Mint and later Dupont as a model maker, including time spent building industrial scale models with Lucite, often bringing home delightful scrap-crafted toys for his children.

Beginning with his days as a Boy Scout, Bob was an avid lover of the outdoors and enjoyed family camping trips, growing vegetables, fishing and hiking the Long Trail. That love led him to move his young family up to the Green Mountains in 1982.

In Vermont, Bob became a master woodworker with experience in carpentry, cabinetmaking and antique refinishing. That, too, led to many small projects and treasures shared with family and friends.

During the last few years of his life, Bob enjoyed seasonal work groundskeeping at the Country Club of Vermont golf course in summer, and housekeeping at Stowe Mountain Resort in winter. He would often share beautiful photos of a sunrise or a snow-topped mountain, saying, “Another day at the office.”

Bob especially loved the hug of the Duxbury hills. He spent countless days playing rounds of “Jungle Golf” at St. Divots and countless hours walking, fishing, barbecuing or just sitting and looking out at the forest-laden land belonging to his close friends Hank and Mame McKee.

Bob was a wonderful artist who found peace and profound freedom while working with clay. He became a familiar face at Seminary Arts Center in Waterbury Center, working alongside his dear friend Mame. There he would play with clay and create presents for his friends and family, including yearly Christmas gifts for his granddaughters. He will be greatly missed and roundly celebrated by his fellow artists.

Survivors include a son, Christian J. Grab and wife Katye; a daughter, Carrie A. Kamont and husband Christopher; four granddaughters, Bella, Cecelia, Briar and Lucy; two siblings who were very dear to him, his sister Kathleen Evans and his brother Steven Grab; and nephews, a niece, cousins and many friends.

Bob will be remembered by his friends and family at a private memorial service in the heart of his Green Mountains.