It is with immeasurable sadness, and deep gratitude and love for a life so beautifully lived, that we remember our beloved husband, dad, and Papa, Robert Henry Skudzienski, who passed away peacefully and surrounded by love at his home in Wolcott, Connecticut on January 27, 2026. Bob’s life was guided by three things above all else: faith, family, and love. He lived each of these fully, generously, and without condition.

Bob was born in Westfield, Massachusetts on July 28, 1954, the devoted son of Henry and Wanda (Kotowicz) Skudzienski, both of whom predeceased him. He grew up the proud son of Polish immigrants and remained deeply connected to his heritage throughout his life. He was especially close to his beloved Babcia, who helped raise him and taught him the Polish language, cherished traditions and how to make comforting soups that became a beloved part of family life. Those early lessons in faith, culture, and care shaped the man he would become.

Bob was a man of deep, steady faith. He lived it quietly and consistently through how he treated people and how he loved his family. He taught his children and grandchildren to love God and others and to live that love out in everyday life. One of his favorite Bible verses was, “I have no greater joy than to see my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). He carried that verse with him and lived it as a husband, father, and grandfather. He was quick to tell us when he saw us walking in truth and just as quick to encourage us when we needed guidance, reassurance, or grace. His faith shaped how he loved, how he parented, and how he moved through the world.

A lifelong learner, Bob attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Westfield and graduated from Saint Mary’s High School, where he excelled in linguistics, history, and literature. He had a deep appreciation for people and the world around him. He mastered several languages, including Polish, Latin, French, and Spanish. He graduated with honors from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. After college, he moved to Connecticut to begin his career and, unknowingly, the great love story of his life.

In Connecticut, Bob met Teresa Conley, the love of his life for 45 years. They were married in 1982 and built a life together rooted in faith, devotion, and true partnership. Teresa was everything to Bob, and he was always quick to tell anyone how extraordinary his wife was. He loved surprising her with small, thoughtful gifts, often a new book he thought she would enjoy, simply because he was thinking about her. He was deeply attentive to Teresa and constantly looked for ways to make life easier and better for their family. Bob was an equal partner in parenting in their home. He was known for doing laundry, making dinner, grocery shopping, and supporting wherever he was needed. Together they created a home filled with love, laughter, fun and care. They loved spending time with their children and grandchildren, listening to music, taking day trips and discovering new places to eat. Their marriage was steady, selfless and deeply loving.

Dad was the fiercely proud and devoted father of ten children and their spouses: Debra; Beth and her husband Dan; Andrew and his partner Beatriz; Sara; Rachel and her husband Jordan; Anna; Leah and her partner Joe; Danielle; Lydia and her partner Joe; and Matthew. Fatherhood was his greatest calling. He filled our lives with bedtime stories and songs, many made up just for us, gentle humor, imaginative games, and endearing nicknames. Sundays often meant oatmeal with raisins or apples made by Dad. He was known for organizing family walks at the Wolcott Reservoir and day trips to museums, nature centers, zoos, aquariums and art exhibits. One of our special traditions was our yearly post Thanksgiving trip to Stew Leonard’s for ice cream. He had a way of making even the simplest moments feel special and turning them into memories we will cherish forever.

Dad instilled in us a love of learning and a deep curiosity about the world. He loved teaching us Polish and faithfully carried on traditions like celebrating Wigilia each year. Every milestone, big or small, was met with the same joy and pride. We could always count on Dad for love, advice, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, a funny pun, or one of his classic Bobisms. Each of us carries memories and conversations with him that we will cherish forever.

As much love as he poured into his children, Dad’s heart grew even bigger when he became Papa to his six grandchildren: Lexi, Annora, Audrey, Charlotte, Eleanor, and Nathan. For years, he talked about how much he could not wait to be a Jaju, and when the time finally came, he embraced that role with complete devotion. Nothing made him happier than being with his grandchildren, reading books, playing games, or simply watching them play in the yard. Each one held an extra special place in his heart. They could always count on Papa for a surprise book or treat in the mail or something special waiting for them at the house. For his 70th birthday, just months before his illness, his only request was that the celebration be at home so he could watch his grandchildren play.

Dad had a deep love for nature and for his gardens. In just about any weather, he could be found outside tending the yard. It became a familiar and comforting sight to pull into the driveway and see Dad in the yard, often volunteering us to help with planting, repotting, or whatever project he had going that day. He loved naming plants and flowers he found for us.

Bob was also a devoted brother to his beloved sisters: Carol Skudzienski; Patricia Lotherington and her husband Tom, who predeceased him; Andrea Daigneault and her husband Jim; Christine Frappier; Constance Buynicki; Mary Nadeau and her husband David; and Wendy Buynicki. He loved his sisters deeply and cherished time spent with them. He also held a special place in his heart for his many siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and lifelong friends.

Bob was a friend to everyone. He listened carefully, asked thoughtful questions, followed up, and made people feel seen, loved, and valued. His presence brought comfort, and his smile and laugh could light up a room, even on the darkest days.

Dad lived his faith through action. He believed deeply in and lived out the Greek term for the highest form of love: Agape, which means love in action. Over his lifetime, he donated more than 30 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. He volunteered with Acts 4 Ministries alongside his son Matthew, was a longtime member of the Wolcott Lions Club, and supported countless charitable efforts. Our home and his heart were always open. Many times Dad and Mom welcomed those who needed encouragement or a safe place to stay. He would truly give the shirt off his back if he saw someone in need. He was also the first to admit when he got things wrong as a husband or parent, and what set him apart was his willingness to own mistakes, and his constant desire to grow and do better.

In the final 16 months of his life, Dad journeyed with extraordinary courage through a diagnosis of Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and devastating form of brain cancer. Even then, his focus remained on others. His first concern was whether the tumor was genetic, hoping to spare his family any similar suffering. After complex brain surgery, he shared that if this burden had to fall on someone in the family, he was glad it was him to carry and not his wife, children, or grandchildren.

Dad fought with remarkable strength and grace, surpassing expectations and living beyond the median prognosis, even while enduring additional serious illnesses. He never lost his faith and was never bitter about the path given to him. Instead, he saw each day as a gift. Even on the hardest days, he thanked God for the day because he had spent time with family. Throughout his illness, Dad was surrounded by the very love in action he had spent his life teaching our family. He was blessed to have a wife completely devoted to his care and comfort, and daughters, especially Anna, and sons, especially Jordan and Matthew, who helped make it possible for him to remain at home. His care team often remarked on how his family rallied around him and showed up for him in every way. More than anything, this was a reflection of Dad himself and the values he instilled in us. It was the clearest example of the love he lived every day.

Our family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dad’s exceptional and compassionate care team at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, especially Drs. Moliterno, Kurz, Choi, and Vanessa. Thank you for walking beside him and for giving us the priceless gift of more time together.

Dad’s legacy is one of faith lived through service, family cherished above all else, and love given freely and without condition. He was the best husband, father, Gpa, brother, and friend. We will carry his love with us forever.

We are comforted knowing there was a crowd waiting to welcome Bob to heaven: his parents, Henry and Wanda, Babcia, Nana, Jeff, Mike, and a beloved child and four grandchildren who went before him. We know he is with Jesus, whole and at peace, with a restored body free of cancer.

Bob. Dad. Gpa. Papa. Jaju. We could never tell you enough how much we love you or how much we will miss you, though we told you daily. You are the best husband, dad, and grandfather. Our lives will never be the same. We will miss your presence, especially on chilly nights by the fire or warm summer evenings by the bonfire, watching the kids play in the yard. We will remember you in springtime flowers, family gatherings, Wigilia celebrations, and especially when we have chocolate ice cream or brownies. You will be in our hearts and on our minds every moment of every day. We will always save you a place at the table. We will look for you in nature, and we will be sure to take care of your gardens. We love you always and forever.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations toward the ongoing long term care of Bob’s disabled children, Danielle and Matthew, via check or Venmo (dan-loparco).

At his request, all services are private and at the convenience of the family. Woodtick Memorial is honored to serve the family. A full obituary and online condolences are available at www.woodtickmemorial.com