Norwich – Robert “Bob” Brown McPhail passed away peacefully on 25th August 2022 at his home in Norwich. He was born on March 10, 1931 in New He, London, the eldest son of the late Mary (Brown) MacPhail and Alexander He MacPhail. His 91 years of life were filled with conscientious work, numerous friendships, sports, community service, and the love of his family.
Bob grew up in New London and was always proud to say so. He attended his CB Jennings Elementary School and graduated from high school in 1949. At his former Bulkley School, he served as class greeter and football quarterback for his team. When not playing pranks on his brothers and friends during the summer, he was a lifeguard at Ocean Beach Park with his brother Norman and some close friends. I always looked forward to sharing memories with my Bulkley classmates. Bob attended Amherst College on an academic scholarship, but his education was interrupted a few years later by service in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean War. After completing his military service, Bob continued his education at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1957 with an honors degree in business administration. He then earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut.
Shortly after graduating from UConn, Bob married Jane Novak on June 22, 1957, and the couple moved to Ludlow, Massachusetts when he took a job with the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Their first child, his Cynara, was born there in 1958. Shortly after, the family moved back to Bob’s hometown of New London when he was hired by the General Dynamics/Electric Boats division. It was here that his second child Merlin was born in 1959. The family then soon moved to Norwich. This city Bob would call his home for the rest of his life. After 11 years in the field of Data Processing Management at General Dynamics, he briefly worked in the Computer Services Group before taking up a teaching position.
In 1969, Bob was offered a teaching position by Charles Hamblen, Principal of the Norwich Free Academy, and was hired by Hamblen to develop a computer technology curriculum for the school. Once in the NFA, he never left. In addition to his teaching job, Bob soon joined track and field at school. He was the assistant coach of his football and basketball teams, and in 1972 he became the head coach of the golf team. His yearly coaching role ended in 1981 when he was named the NFA’s Athletic Director. He held the position until his retirement from teaching in 1993, which allowed him to return to coaching the men’s golf team in 1994. He continued coaching men’s until 2016 when he turned 85. Bob also started the women’s golf program in the NFA, which he coached for eight years. He enjoys traveling to games across the state with his boys and girls, and with two teams he has recorded over 700 wins. He is the founder and founder of the Wildcat Invitational Golf Tournament, an annual state high school golf event, and the Wildcat Scramble, an annual fundraising tournament that provides financial assistance to college students competing in the Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC). served as a director. He served as secretary and treasurer of his ECC for over twenty years.
Along the way, Bob was named Electric Boat Outstanding Intramural Athlete, Electric Boat Athletic Hall of Fame, 1972 Norwich Sportsman of the Year, 1977 Connecticut High School Coaches Association Golf Outstanding Coach, NFA Sports Hall of Fame, and more. , won many honors. A Norwich Sports Hall of Fame inductee, he was named the 2016 Men’s Golf Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association.
Bob took a great interest in children’s activities and was an active participant in youth sports in Norwich. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Norwich Little He League and the Norwich Midget Football League, and was also Director of Sports for the Norwich Rose Arts Festival. He loved traveling and watching his son Merlin play baseball. He and Jane often took off on weekends to watch Marlin play at Cornell University. After that, they made numerous trips around the country to watch him play and coach professionally. Bob also said that when his daughter, Cinara, needed a patient to meet her requirements at her UConn School of Dental Medicine, where she would make frequent visits to Farmington and have to sit for hours at a time. , he immediately volunteered. He also made sure to attend many of his grandchildren’s activities, including baseball games, soccer games, track and cross-country competitions, and his dance recitals.
Bob was an avid golfer and an active member of Pawtypawg Country Club and Norwich Golf Club. He was also a member of the Norwich Rotary Club and the Norwich Elks Club. In the early 1980s, before fantasy leagues became commonplace, he started Fantasy His football and baseball leagues with his colleagues and friends. A fierce competitor, he enjoyed friendly banter with his opponents and often took home the winner’s bragging rights. He loves photography and has taken thousands of photos of his team, players, nature and family throughout his life. Bob also enjoyed gardening, and although he took pride in the vegetables he grew, he never seemed to produce enough cucumbers for Jane’s pickles. was also an avid fan of He has been in the game since his early 1990s, has had his ticket for over 20 seasons, and has appeared in numerous Finals his Fours.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Jane, and their children, Dr. Cinarra McPhail (John Kornacki) and Merlin McPhail (Terry). His cherished grandchildren called him “Pa”: Amanda Smith (Alex), Sarah Kornacki, Ryan McPhail (Brooke) and Daniel Kornacki. His four adorable great-granddaughters: Camden McPhail, Addison Smith, Emerson McPhail, and Eliza Smith. Bob is also survived by his nephew Michael Kettlety (Michelle). and his niece Jellalyn McPhail. He had died by his older brother Norman McPhail. his sister Barbara Pingaroa; and his niece Norma Jean McPhail Logan.
Funeral arrangements will be handled by Woyasz and Son Funeral Home, 141 Central Avenue, Norwich. There will be no talk time and the burial will be private. Friends are invited to a celebration of Bob’s life on Saturday, October 1st from 11am to 2pm at the Holiday Inn at his 10 Laura Boulevard in Norwich. A memorial gift can be given to her McPhail Family Athletic Versatility Award at the Norwich Free Academy. Donations should be made to the NFA Foundation (321 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360).
Published by The Day on September 4, 2022.
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