Robert L. Gaumond

Robert “Bob” Gaumond (11/28/56-11/18/22)

Pomfret Center, CT

Bob passed away November 18th in his beloved Pomfret home, with his wife Pamela by his side, after a valiant, 21-year battle with a brain tumor.

Bob was born in North Grosvenordale, CT. Bob attended St. Joseph’s School and later graduated with an automotive degree from the Tourtellotte/ Ellis Technical School joint program. As a child, Bob and his family spent summers in their Airstream Trailer at Rawson’s Campground on Quaddick Lake and traveling cross country.

Bob’s first job was at Gaumond Brother’s Concrete in North Grosvenordale which his father Lucien and Uncle Clarence owned and operated. Bob later opened his own business, Bob’s Mobile Repair, a mobile automotive repair business out of a large red and black van. Bob eventually forwent self-employment and went to work for LaFramboise Well Drilling where he worked for over 30 years. While Shop Foreman at Laframboise, he engineered and built several special use drill rigs from the ground up. He was immensely proud of these builds.

Bob built his first home in Thompson, in his early twenties. This home was very unique, entirely made out of concrete, built underground, into the side of a hill. Many individuals have fond memories of swimming in the indoor pool and working in his expansive garage.

Bob was a keen craftsman; there was nothing he could not build or fix. He had a particular love for building racecars. He started building and racing Late Model Stock Cars at the Thompson Speedway and was fondly known as Bobby G.  Racing was a family sport. He and his son Cliff built Mini Stocks and Strickly Stocks together. Bob later stepped away from racing himself and had several drivers, but none so loved as Robert Palmer who started with him as a crew member at the age of 21. Rob drove Strickly Stocks, Late Models and Sunoco Modifieds for Bob. This partnership resulted in a special friendship, many wins and a lifetime of treasured memories.

Bob stopped racing soon after his diagnosis. He focused his time working at LaFramboise and on building a new home, set on a serene, wildlife filled property in Pomfret. This home was intricately designed and even included hardwood floors made from lumber from the property. Bob took great pride in his yard. He particularly loved his vegetable gardens and his beautiful goldfish ponds. Bob enjoyed watching the wildlife that surrounded his home. He enjoyed spending cold days sitting by the woodstove he designed and built. Bob also took great pride in restoring a 1931 Ford 5 Window Coupe. He designed and manufactured many of the components himself on his prized Bridgeport. Many will miss seeing the familiar yellow Coupe driving around town.

Bob was fortunate enough to travel and enjoyed cruises and trips with his wife to Cape Cod and the Caribbean. In addition to his wife Pamela, he leaves his children, Dr. Gwenn Gaumond and her husband Sean Fitzmaurice of Woodstock, CT, his son Clifford Gaumond of Midland, NC and their mother Diane Gaumond of New London, NC, his stepchildren Benjamin Zern and his wife Nicole of Brooklyn, CT, Jennifer Zern and her husband Seavor Skinner of Plainfield, CT and his sisters Rachel Fortin of Brooklyn, CT and Anita Wells of North Fort Myers, FL.  Additionally, he leaves behind grandchildren Boston, Lucien, Jackson, Noah, Emmit and Selena. Bob was predeceased by his parents Lucien and Dorothy Gaumond of Cape Coral, FL.  Bob will be dearly missed by all that knew him. 

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10 AM – 12 noon in the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School St., Webster, MA.   Bob will be buried at a later date at the East Thompson Cemetery in the perfect spot surrounded by many close friends and overlooking the Thompson Speedway. A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may post a condolence or light a candle. Donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance at: https://ctbta.org/support-fight/how-give

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