Obituary of Robert F. Harrel Jr.

Robert F. Harrel Jr, Former First Selectman of Darien Connecticut, died peacefully with his family by his side after a brief illness on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024. He is pre-deceased by his mother Ellen Murphy Harrel, his father Robert F. Harrel and his brother David Harrel. Bob was born in New York City on September 26, 1936. They moved to Darien in 1938 where he lived over 70 years before moving to Florida permanently in 2015. Bob attended Royle School, New Canaan Country Day and graduated from Darien High School in 1954. He attended Cornell University and graduated with a BS in Agriculture in 1958. He was a proud member of Chi Phi fraternity and served as president from 1957-1958. While serving in the US Army as 1st Lieutenant, he met his wife Betty in Ft Hood, Texas. They were married in 1961. After a brief stint working for General Foods in Virginia, they moved back to CT where Bob commuted into New York City working as a buyer for JC Penney. After his parents passing in 1971, he took over his mother's store, The Ellen Harrel Shop and moved it up the street. The Harrel Shop remained a local institution for over 50 years. He later went on to work as partner for Abercrombie, McKiernan and Harrel Insurance as well as executive vice president of JM Layton Insurance and Craig M. Ferguson Insurance. He later formed the Darien Bank and earned his real estate license. Bob's dedication and service to the Town of Darien stretched over 40 years. He participated in activities involving his children and their friends as PTA president of Royle School, Cub Scout Pack Leader and Explorer Post Advisor. Bob later became President of the Men's Garden Club of Fairfield County, Co-Founder and past President of the Darien Nature Center and President of the Darien Chamber of Commerce along with actively supporting local organizations including the American Red Cross and the local chapter of the United Way. Bob served as First Selectman of Darien for 6 years between 1997 and 2003. He was selectman for four years between 1975 and 1979 and was also on the RTM Committee for 16 years. He also proudly served as one of the first members of the State of Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission for two terms and was appointed Vice-Chairman as well. He served as both a member and Chairman of his Republican Town Committee between 1982 and 1997 and served as one of Darien's police commissioners from 1998-2008. Bob is survived by his wife Betty of 63 years, son Robert F Harrel III of Minnesota and his wife Lisa, daughter Jenny Hardy of Florida and her husband John and daughter Ellen O'Rourke of Massachusetts and her husband Ted, Granddaughter Liz Ulm and her husband Dave and their two sons Walker and Robert, Grandson Nicholas Harrel, Grandson Jack Hardy, Step Granddaughters Vanessa and Jessica Hardy, Granddaughter Emily O'Rourke and Grandsons Teddy and Ben O'Rourke. Services will be held in Ponte Vedra Beach at Our Lady Star of the Sea on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 11am. A late spring service will be held at St. Thomas More Church in Darien CT In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bob's name to The Darien Nature Center.