Woodbury -
Mr. Robert B. Cowles, son of the late G. Gordon and Dorothy H. Cowles, husband of Nancy C. H. Cowles and the late Calma "Nina" L. Cowles, died May 16, 2011 after a long illness. He was born May 9, 1933 and was a lifelong resident of Woodbury, as well as a lifelong member of North Congregational Church of Woodbury. He attended the Woodbury schools, graduating from Woodbury High School and was a long time member of Woodbury's Volunteer Fire Department joining at the age of 18. He graduated from UConn (agricultural studies) and served in the Korean War. He took over the family milk hauling business (Cowles Transportation) in the 60's. Robert served his community his entire adult life by being on countless town and church committees. Some of these were Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Woodbury Board of Education, Region 14 Board of Education, Woodbury Cemetery Association and was a Deacon and on the Board of Trustees for North Congregational Church. He was active in scouting with his children and a member of the Woodbury Lion's Club, starting their Annual Antique Car Show. He has been honored by the Woodbury Lions Club by being a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award as well as the Town of Woodbury when he was presented the Bernard Rosenberg Award. His interests included genealogy, Woodbury's history (he contributed to the book "The Old Leather Man") and antique vehicles.
He is survived by his children Cynthia Feda and his husband Rocco, Douglas Cowles and David Cowles all of Woodbury, Matthew Cowles and his wife Nicole of Bantam, his stepchildren Ted Hoffman and his wife Randi, Karen Gillette and her husband Joe all of Woodbury and Debbie Glen and her husband Ken of North Carolina, his siblings Ella Huyler of Vermont, Paul Cowles and his wife Chris of Virginia, June Smith and her husband Russ of Massachusetts. He was also the proud grandfather of William Feda and his wife Jennifer of Bristol, Stephanie Feda of Woodbury, Abigail, Hailey and Ethan Cowles of Bantam, Allen Gillette of Woodbury, Tyler Hoffman of Newtown and Sarah Glen of North Carolina as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Janice Millard of Alabama.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 561 or to the Woodbury Food Bank, PO Box 585 both Woodbury, Ct 06798.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: Burial will be held on Saturday May 21st at 11am at New North Cemetery, Woodbury. A memorial service will follow the burial at North Congregational Church at Noon.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held on Friday May 20th from 5 - 7pm at North Congregational Church, 11 Main St. North, Woodbury.