MAYNARD, Judge Robert R.

Judge Robert R. Maynard, 83, of Brightwood Rd, Bristol, CT passed away on Tuesday December 23 at home with his wife by his side. He was born in Bristol June, 6, 1925 the son of Montcalm and Emma Maynard. He is survived by his wife Margaret the love of his life of 56 years, his son Christopher of Tucson, AZ, Timothy and Karen Maynard of Bristol and their children, Alyssa, Christina and Thomas, Lisa Attle of Ashland, OH, and her children, Eric, Christine and Camille, Nicole and Richard Megos of Cromwell and their children, Carson and Aiden. He is also survived by a brother, Richard M. Maynard of Bonita Springs, FL and nephews Kenneth, Steve, Paul, Donald, Michael and William, their spouses and children all form the “Maynard Clan” and will carry out his legacy. He was predeceased by his sister Irene Mason and a son-in-law Simon Attle on October 7, 2008. Robert most known to his family and friends as Bob and "Duke" during the World War II years lived his life to the fullest. He dedicated to his family and his community whom he loved so much. A life long Bristol resident, he was a man of many professional accomplishments. A 1943 graduate of Bristol High School, who was sent to the beaches of Normandy, France on D-day +3 for the invasion and liberation of France. During the invasion he was seriously wounded and sent to England for recovery and was later sent back to Pierrefond, France as an interpreter between the American forces and local French Government. After the war ended he came back to Connecticut, married Margaret, attended and graduated from Wesleyan University in 1952 with a BA. He went on to attend and graduate from the University of Virginia law school with a JD in1955. After law school bob and Peggy returned back from Connecticut where he ran his mother's Insurance Agency, Maynard Insurance. He was admitted into the CT Bar Association and soon started his law practice on Laurel St. in Bristol from 1962 until 1990. During this time he was also elected to the position of Probate Judge and served honorably from 1984 until his retirement in 1994. His many accomplishments both civically and politically in the Bristol community were; City of Bristol, Assistant Corporation Counsel 1956-1960, City of Bristol Chief Corporation Counsel 1963-1965, Democratic Town Committee 1947-1953 and 1955-1975 and Served as Chairman from 1964-1965, Register of Voters 1948-1952, Director and Chairman of Bristol Hospital/Greater Bristol Hospital Health Services, Inc., 1981-1983, Director and Chairman of Tunxis Community-Technical College Advisory Counsel where he received on June 4th, 1985 the Board of Trustees Merit Award, Director, of Bristol Savings Bank, Trustee of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Bristol, Member of St, Ann Parish Council, St. Ann Finance Committee, Member of the Club Franco-American de Bristol, Franco American War Veterans, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, L'Union des Franco-Americans of Connecticut and the United States Redevelopment Counsel for the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Bristol. As a man dedicated to God, his faith and his Church, he was made a Papal Knight of Saint Gregory the Great and was knighted in a formal ceremony at St. Ann Church by Arch Bishop John Whalen in 1972. As a combat veteran of World War II, he was awarded and received medals including the Combat Infantry Badge, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, Two Bronze Battle Stars, the Bronze Arrow for his Normandy Beach assault, and many more distinguished awards both personally, professionally and as a war veteran. He was a member of several war veteran organizations including Second Indian Head Division Association and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was appointed Agence Consular an Honorary Diplomatic Consul for the French Government from 1989 to 1995. On April 11, 1997, he was made a Knight of the French National Order of Merit by Decree by the President of France Jacques Chirac at a ceremony held at his home. His greatness as a man came through in his love, kindness, generosity, gentleness and tenderness that he shared with his family, and all of the people's lives whom he touched. He was the gentlest man. Visiting hours will be held at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Avenue, Bristol CT on Friday, December 26, 2008 between 4 and 7 P.M. A Mass will be held on Saturday December 27, from Funk Funeral Home to St. Ann Church at 10 a.m. His internment with full military, honors including a Council of Honorary Government Officials from Bristol City Hall, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol, immediately following his Mass. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Carolyn’s Place (www.carolynsplace.net), 137 Grandview Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708. On-line guest book available at www.funkfuneralhome.com