Robert Anthony Lecce, Sr., “Bob”, of Salem, passed away on December 10, 2023, at Backus Hospital in Norwich after a long and debilitating illness.  He was 80 years old.  Bob was born in Norwich on May 28, 1943.  He was a son of the late Antonio and Regina (Elia) Lecce.  Bob married his beloved wife, Carol Tribensky on November 17, 1962.  The couple lived in Norwich for a time and then moved to back to Salem where Bob grew up, to raise their own family there.  Bob was a “Jack of all trades” but most significantly he was a self- employed entrepreneur, turning his own garage into a machine shop where he made racing engines.  His business was a labor of love known as ROBICO Racing Engines and he built engines for cars that raced on all three tracks in CT; the Waterford Speed Bowl, the Thompson Speedway, and Stafford Springs Motor Speedway.  He also had a race car of his own for a time. Bob also love watching NASCAR races. Most importantly, he loved his family dearly and will be sadly missed by all who knew him, especially he loving wife, Carol of 61 years; his son, Robert Lecce, Jr. of Salem; daughter-in-law, Aletha Wood of Oakdale, son-in-law, Michael Felix of Old Saybrook; grandchildren, Antonio John “AJ” Lecce, Carmeron Lecce, Kaelyn Johnson, Christopher Felix; great grandchildren, Antonio John Lecce “Tony”, Maevlyn and Erika Johnson; and numerous extended family members and friends.  In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two children, Jeffrey Lecce and Lynne Felix; a grandson, Robert A. Lecce III, siblings, John Lecce, Mary Alteri, Carmella Tarrant, Helen Lecce, and Beverly Lecce.  Calling hours will be held at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd,. Colchester on Wednesday, Dec. 13th from 4 – 6 PM.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 14th at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 752 Norwich-Salem Tpke., Oakdale, CT.  Burial will follow in Salem Green Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org  To sign the online guest book or share a memory Bob, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

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