Martin Robert “Bob” Lichota, 81, passed away on February 1, 2023 after a brief illness.
Bob was born in Hartford and lived his entire life in East Hartford. He was the oldest son of the late Martin Stanley and Wanda (Libera) Lichota. Bob owned and operated Deluxe Window Cleaning for almost 50 years, purchasing the business from his father in 1975. Owning a small, family business has its ups and downs, but he always demonstrated an impeccable work ethic and dependability. His company supported girls softball in East Hartford, sponsoring a team for a few years in the 1980s. What he enjoyed most about his work was the opportunity it gave him to see and talk with his customers, many of whom were with him for decades and more than a few he counted among his friends. When retirement was the only option, he made the difficult decision to cease operations in early 2021.
When you wonder what a ‘good man’ is, Bob was exactly that: A man of few words. But his love and loyalty to those close to him was the driving force in his life. He enjoyed the time he spent with friends and family, whether it was holiday get-togethers, playing cards, bowling leagues at Silver Lanes, or just “shooting the breeze”. He was always willing and eager to lend a hand to those who needed it, never asking for nor \ anything in return. He was also a long time member of the Knights of Columbus in East Hartford, reaching 4th Degree status in 1982.
For 34 years he was married to the light and love of his life, Carol Anne Lichota. When she suddenly and tragically passed away in 1996, a piece of Bob went with her. It was rare that spending more than 15 minutes with him didn’t prompt the sharing of a fond memory about their days together. Theirs was a true love story, begun in the strawberry fields of East Hartford (though they didn’t know each other at the time), dancing at Carol’s prom in East Hartford High School, and then as two 20-year-old kids getting married and building a life together, raising their family with all the love they had. Reuniting with her in this next phase undoubtedly brings him solace.
Bob is survived, and will be remembered, by a loving family. His daughter, Susan Duva and her husband Tony, of Marlborough; their children, Kayleigh (Gauthier), Nick and Gina. His son William Lichota and his wife Sharon of Newington, and their two boys, Billy and Jason. Bob was always asking about his grandkids, and took great pride and joy seeing them all grow into the fine people they are becoming. You could see that in his eyes, how he kept every picture of them he was ever given, and his quiet, loving smile when they were around.
Bob also leaves his brother, Raymond Lichota and his wife Betty, and his sister Gloria and her husband Walt. He was the proud uncle to many nieces and nephews who will miss “Uncle Bobby”. He had many lifelong friends, especially James and Pat Brozowsky.
Most of his closest friends passed before him, which happens when you have lived a long life like he did. He often shared stories about the great times he had with every one of them, which is what we all should do when someone we care about passes away. Our people are never gone as long as we remember.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in North America Martyrs Parish at St. Rose Church, 33 Church St., East Hartford. Burial will follow in Silver Lane Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury on Tuesday Feb. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.
