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Robert Williams Owen passed away peacefully at Branford Hospice on Feb. 8. He was born in New York City, N.Y., son of Edwin and Clarice (Williams) Owen. His family moved to Hamden where he graduated from Hamden High School and then from the Philadelphia Museum College of Art with a degree in Industrial Design.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Agnes Ranek Owen; his sister, Nanette Small; his children, Pamela (Gretchen), Cynthia (Jeff), Sheila, and Peter (Erin); and five grandchildren, Cybele, Connor, Henry, Devin and Tyler.

Robert was employed by Fafnir Bearing and its subsidiaries for many years and later by Bay State Bearing. His enjoyment of stock cars moved on to sports cars. He was a member of the Quinnipiac Valley Sports Car Club, participating with his 1957 Volkswagen convertible in many sports car competitions. He also competed in Go Kart events with his friend Charles. He played golf at Lyman Meadows for many years with the two Donalds. He and his brother-in-law, Sidney Small, won the club championship in the early days of the Micomet Golf Club.

He served six months active duty in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix and five years in the Connecticut National Guard.

Robert spent most of his life in Guilford and was active in The Soccer Club of Guilford. He coached several youth soccer teams, as well as refereeing games. His attraction to Nantucket Island after a visit to his sister led him to design and build a house in Nantucket, where, after retirement, he spent six months of the year enjoying visits from family and friends.

A service for family will be held privately at the Guilford Funeral Home. A memorial gathering is being planned for all in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Soccer Club of Guilford, P.O. Box 21 Guilford, CT. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.