Page 20 - North Haven Magazine Spring 2021 Issue 18

Resident Spotlight

Bob Amici is really Francis Robert
Amici. In Italy, it is customary to
name the first born son after the
father’s father and in Bob’s case,
with the birth of his 3rd sister, his
parents never anticipated having
another child let alone a son so
both he and his youngest sister
are named Francis.
Bob grew up on Landers Street
in New Haven, known as the Ne-
whallville section of New Haven,
half-a-mile from the Hamden
town line. As such, Bob had many
friends from both New Haven and Hamden, many of whom
he remained close friends with throughout his life and one
in particular that was instrumental in introducing him to his
wife, Martha, who he met when on a double date and later
married in 1958.
Who was a role model in your life? Bob Davis, a draftsman
at the A.C. Gilbert Company. He took me under his wings
and helped me understand the business. Bob, in turn, be-
came a friend, teacher and role model for a young man
by the name of Vincent, an engineer in Hong Kong who
worked at Coleco with Bob. Bob & Vincent remain close
friends to this day and they both call one another on their
birthdays.

What did you envision yourself being as a child? Did
you live up to those expectations? As a young boy, Bob
enjoyed playing football and baseball with his friends but
also had a penchant for building and flying gas-fueled air-
planes. Although he enjoyed Drafting class in High School,
he spent a good deal of time with his father who was a
jewelry engraver with his own business, Anthony Amici En-
gravers, and always thought he would go into business with
his father. Right after High School, however, Bob landed a
job at the A.C. Gilbert Company, once the world’s largest
toy manufacturer and the originator of the Erector Set and
American Flyer Trains. Bob started his career with A.C. Gil-
bert delivering mail to all the various departments which
gave him a broad overview of engineering and how things
work. Bob was quickly promoted to a draftsman and thus
began his illustrious career as an engineer with three prom-
inent toy companies – A.C. Gilbert, Ideal Toys and Coleco.

What is the story behind the Crissy doll? How did you get
involved? The Crissy doll is a well-known fashion doll man-
ufactured by Ideal Toys and features adjustable length hair.
Bob was very instrumental in the production of the Cris-
sy doll and is named on numerous patents related to the
product. Bob’s three children – Dianne, Bob Jr. and Alison
– recollect holidays at the Amici household with great fond-
ness as Bob would bring the kids to the Hollis, NY-based
manufacturer on the weekends.
Were you ever in the military? Bob served 2 years in the
US Army from 1953 – 1955, oddly enough as a Tugboat Skip-
per stationed at an Airforce Base in New Finland, that as-
sisted in transporting fuel from tankers to airlines.
What is something that no one knows about you? Bob
was a Soda Jerk at Benzel’s Pharmacy in Hamden “back in
the day”
Your favorite thing about living at The Landing? Being
a Resident Ambassador, an individual that helps welcome
new residents into the community, shows them the lay of
the land, helps identify their interests and introduces them
to other residents.
20 North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2021