Robert "Bob" Michael Palaia

Robert “Bob” Michael Palaia, 78, of Plainville, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in his home of 47 years beside his loving wife, Margaret “Peggy” (Potkay) Palaia.  A beloved husband, dad, grandpa and brother, Bob was born on May 3, 1948.  He was the first born of the late Michael “Mike” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Ryan) Palaia.  Raised in Bristol CT, Bob was very social, well-liked and academically focused.  He was President of Student Council, an editor of the school newspaper and active in other extracurriculars, graduating valedictorian from Bristol Eastern High School in 1966.  Knowing he wanted to be an architect since childhood, he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1971.  He spent the majority of his architectural career at The S/L/A/M Collaborative, where his pride for his children, unique sense of humor and love of coffee were well known.  By the time he retired in 2013, Bob was a principal and the lead specifications writer.  Bob loved the outdoors and activities like bicycling and skiing.  He and Peggy (raised in New Britain) met through the New Britain Ski Club and married on May 21, 1976.  They raised their two children in Plainville, half-way between their respective parents.  While dedicated to his profession, Bob was also devoted to his family.  Knowing he would be a good father is one of the reasons Peggy knew he was ‘the one.’  His children have only fond memories of him.

Bob’s early retirement years consisted of sitting in the backyard soaking up the sun, either reading a James Patterson novel or ‘resting his eyes,’ Thursday morning breakfasts with his uncles and retired cousins and walking around town for hours, from the Forestville end almost to Farmington and back.  As his knees aged, he took shorter, more frequent walks - sometimes three times a day.  Bob was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, and activities slowed as it progressed.  He moved from the backyard to the enclosed front porch due to its warmth.  Bob and Peggy spent more time at the Plainville Senior Center, attending lunches almost daily, Memory Cafe once a month and weekly Wednesday Bingo.  They also enjoyed weekday breakfast at Nina’s Kitchen around the corner from their house, where a set table awaited and staff quickly refilled Bob’s coffee cup.  Bob kept up his walking, now with routes limited to ‘around the block’ or ‘down Hemingway and back.’ He greeted dogs by name and their owners by face.  Trips to the library increased and he did word searches for his memory.  While always kind, Bob was not particularly known for displaying affection.  He started giving special hugs to family and friends he encountered during his and Peggy’s outings.

In addition to Peggy, Bob is survived by daughter Shannon Palaia of Plainville, son and daughter-in-law Jeremy and Kim Palaia of Ashby MA, joy of his life granddaughter Kaylani, sisters Holly Palaia, Candy Palaia and Jayme Connolly, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Julia Palaia, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.  He was predeceased by his brother, Michael Palaia.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 10am to 12pm at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad Street, Plainville.  A Celebration of Life will begin at 12pm at the funeral Home.  After God calls Peggy home, Bob and Peggy will be buried together at Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Britain.  Donations in memory of Bob may be made to the Plainville Senior Center, 200 East Street, Plainville, CT 06062.  For more information or to leave expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com.

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