Mr. Robert W. Deely

Decorated Waterbury Police Lieutenant of 38 years 

MIDDLEBURY - It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert W. Deely age 92 of Middlebury announce his peaceful passing on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Vitas Inpatient Unit of St Marys Hospital. He was the devoted husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” Deely who passed away just 9 months ago.  

Bob was born on March 29, 1932 in Waterbury, the son of the late Joseph E. and Olive (Porch) Deely. He graduated from Sprague School, attended Sacred Heart High School but graduated from Wilby because the principal at Sacred Heart wouldn’t let him play baseball. At the age of 19, Bobby enlisted in the United States Army at the beginning of the Korean War, He was hoping to be sent to Korea where he could join his brother in defending his country, but his eyesight prevented his assignment, so he was sent to Germany to support the war efforts. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home to Waterbury and worked at Scovill Mfg. Co. While working in the Brass City, he applied to the Waterbury Police Dept and in early 1955 he was sworn as a Waterbury Police Officer. Bob served the city for 38 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant. He was a highly decorated and revered officer. He was a founding officer of the Waterbury Youth Squad, served in the detective bureau for most of his career and was the longest serving commander of the Vice and Intelligence Division. He was admired by his fellow officers and had a keen sense of criminal behavior and was responsible for solving many of Waterbury’s most significant cases during his tenure. What was most important to Bob though was his family, especially his soulmate and best friend in life, Betty. If you saw Bob, Betty was never far behind. They were literally inseparable. They loved traveling to Maine and dining at the best of restaurants  

Bob was exceptional in almost every way, but he excelled the most at being a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends and the Waterbury Police Dept and he was a “giant” of everything “good”; humility integrity and generosity. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know and love him. 

Left to honor his memory and cherish his legacy are his children, sons; Chief Patrick Deely of the Middlebury Police Dept and his wife Theresa of Watertown, Robert Jr and his wife Cathy of Monroe and his daughter, Debra Pelletier and her husband Donald of Oxford. Betty and Bob were blessed with three grandchildren; Kristen Howe and her husband Eric, Sgt Michael Deely of the Naugatuck Police Dept and his wife Molly and Sean and Elisa Deely and 3 great grandchildren; Henry, Luke and Guy.  

Funeral services for Mr. Deely will be held on Wednesday July 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception 74 West Main St Waterbury. All those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will full military and police departmental honors will follow in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Relatives and friends may visit with the Deely family on Tuesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Center 1987 East Main St Waterbury 06705. To honor Bob's memory a donation to PAL at www.waterburypal.org would be greatly appreciated by his family. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the Deely family, please visit our website at www.caseyfunerals.com.