Robert Sheldon Wordell, 75, passed away on December 27, 2022 at Beacon Brook Health Center in Naugatuck, CT surrounded by family after an extended journey of health issues.
Bob, or Bobby, as many know him, was born in Barnstable, MA. He grew up in Dennis Port on Cape Cod. He was married to Carol (Salsbury) for more than 35 years until her passing in 2007. They shared two children, Michael and his wife Kara Wordell of Newton, MA and Renee and her husband Christopher Poirier of Stratford, CT. Bob treasured his five grandchildren Nate, Gordon, Meriel and Josie Wordell and Devin Poirier.
Bob was the brother of Nancy Willard of Webster, NY, Lynden and Martha Wordell of Pompano Beach, FL, J. Peter Wordell of North Providence, RI and Denise Wordell of Hyannis, MA. Bob treasured his many nieces and nephews.
Bob graduated from Dennis-Yarmouth High School in 1965. After graduating from UMASS in 1973 with a degree in Landscape Architecture, Bob moved to Connecticut to pursue his work and became a long-term resident of Southington, CT. There he raised his two children and coached soccer. He was a founding board member of Southington Soccer Club and served as president. He had land set aside and site plans made for soccer fields constructed at Southington Recreation Park, “Rec Park”.
Bob was a talented landscape architect and site and master planner. He designed many major projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. He was proud to have several notable sites still beautiful today. He always paid special attention to preserving the natural habitat and marshland in his designs. Eventually he started his own successful landscape architecture firm, RS Wordell & Associates in Norwalk, CT where he worked until retirement due to his health.
Together with his wife Carol and children, Bob had many biking, hiking and cross country skiing adventures, especially enjoying the White Mountains, Cape Cod biking paths and the snowy woods of Vermont on skis. He has passed that love of adventure and outdoors to his children and grandchildren. He was a proud grandfather and shared his knowledge of Cape Cod and local habitats with them. He enjoyed following their sports successes and boy scouting activities. He was pleased that several of his grandchildren have a love of art and design.
After an extended struggle with alcoholism, Bob entered a life of sobriety in 1993. He became an active and proud member of AA, where he was a sponsor and a friend of Bill W’s fellowship, helping many people. This group was key to Bob maintaining a sober lifestyle and even offered him support by conducting meetings for him at his place of passing.
Bob experienced many adventures, a cat with 12 lives. He was an intelligent man and an accomplished cook. He fished, was an avid kayaker, helped construct a family farmhouse and was a known prankster. Most importantly, he was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Bob, you will never be forgotten.
The family will hold a memorial service on Cape Cod in the Spring, 2023.
Donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131 or www.parkinson.org.

Condolences to the family of Robert and especially to Michael and Rene and all grandchildren. A final farewell to my brother-in-law with whom I shared many experiences and adventures over the years. These included fishing, boating, family get-togethers and lively political and social discussions. Our adventures were capped by a trip to the Republic of Panama when his health was still good. Bob's final communication to me was the acknowledgement of the Democrat retention of control of the US Senate in the 2020 elections. Rest in peace Robert ! Bob Salsbury