Rodwin E. Gulick

Rodwin Edwin Gulick, 95, of Plantsville, CT, passed away peacefully at home with his daughter by his side, on May 27, 2024.   Rod was born on June 25, 1928 in Orange, NJ to the late Randolph and Beatrice (Taylor) Gulick.  He graduated from East Orange High in 1946 and attended Newark College of Engineering from 1946-1949, earning his Bachelor of Science degree. Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served his country.   As 2^nd lieutenant, he was involved in the redevelopment of Western Europe’s city water systems (The Marshall Plan). After being honorably discharged, Rodwin went home and married Ellen Louise Crane and returned to graduate school at the former NJ Institute of Technology (Newark College of Engineering) receiving a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering by 1953.  Rodwin moved to Bridgewater, NJ where he and Ellen built a home and raised their 3 children.  As a father, he was always present in his children’s lives. As a coach himself, he was involved in their many sporting events and officiated many of their swim meets. Rod led his little league all-star team to 5 New Jersey state championships.  Never a year without a vacation to the Jersey shore and to NH lakes and mountains, but best of all was his boat - waterskiing, fishing, crabbing and of course there was the bodysurfing at Manasquan Beach in NJ. Always a fun adventure with Dad.  

Rodwin was employed in different roles for 30+ years at Union Carbide from a group leader in R&D to VP of Marketing.  He was involved in the development of exterior latex paints, powder coatings, band aid plastic strips and on it goes.  He retired early to open his own coatings and adhesives consulting company and enjoyed buying homes to refurbish and sell. He also loved traveling the world and that he did!!!  He was an amazing kindhearted man that lived a full life and gave of himself to his family and many local building committees as a chairperson in the various communities he lived in.

Hardworking, Successful, Kindhearted, Honest and Humble. A man anyone would be proud to call DAD. You will surely be missed.  We love you Dad, Grandpa & Great-Grandpa.  Thanks for all the memories!!!   You are in our hearts forever.

Rodwin is survived by his son, Glenn Gulick and wife Amy of Southbury, Gail Perrella of Plantsville and son-in-law Dennis Perrella of Southington, daughter, Nancy Gulick of Bridgewater, NJ, his wife, Anita Gulick of Oxford, 8 grandchildren, Brian Perrella and wife Susan, Krista Antigiovanni and husband Brian, Alyssa Wypychoski, Ashley Gulick, Greg Gulick, Grant Gulick, Dana Gulick Bowman, Mark Gulick Bowman and 5 great-grandchildren, Logan, Gavin  and Camden Perrella and Brady  and Lena Antigiovanni. 

In lieu of flowers, in Rodwin’s memory, his family requests that you pay it forward by offering a helping hand to a senior as he would have done.

A funeral service with military honors will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Calling hours will be prior to the service from 5 – 6 p.m. at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 12 noon on Monday, June 3, 2024 at Somerville Cemetery, 192 S. Bridge St., Somerville, NJ. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.