Obituary for Robert René Duguay
Robert René Duguay, Jr., beloved husband of Lucille Martin, died gently at home in Bloomfield, CT, on July 20, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He remained optimistic and courageous throughout his year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Born in Providence, RI, on December 18, 1947, Bob was the cherished son of Robert René Duguay and Eileen Patricia Wheelan. As the eldest of six children, Bob always felt a keen sense of pride and responsibility towards his younger siblings: Bonnie, Dicky, Linda, Katy and Patty. He had fond memories of growing up in Stratford, CT, where he spent as many hours as possible playing baseball at Birdseye Field.
Bob was a graduate of Stratford High School and Fairfield University. He had a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit all his life. As a boy he had a newspaper route and worked at the corner grocery store. At Fairfield U he was part of the janitorial crew and an RA in his dormitory. After college he joined Aetna Life & Casualty as a Bond Underwriter. He was subsequently promoted to Manager of the Toronto Bond Department, and ultimately retired as Director in the home office in Hartford, CT. He then acquired a nationwide gourmet gift business, Fruit Baskets Unlimited, which he ran successfully for the next 25 years.
Bob and Lucille met during their senior year of college. They were married in 1971 at La Chapelle St. Bernard, Ste Marguerite Station, QC. They valued their shared Scottish and French Canadian heritage and the family life they created together. They raised their children in Oakville, ON, and Simsbury, CT, before relocating to Bloomfield. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Bob often expressed how fortunate he was for Lucille’s love and support.
Bob was enormously proud of his four children, their chosen partners, and his precious grandchildren. Left to mourn his passing are Rachel Eileen Duguay, her husband Michael Avenick and their daughter Abigail Lucille of Arlington, VA; Annie Laurie Duguay, her husband Lance Aug and their son Finnegan René of Alexandria, VA; Philip Martin Duguay and his partner Kathleen Saba of Montreal, QC; and Robert Joseph Duguay of Queens, NY. He also leaves his honorary son, Mark Godoy, and godchildren Betsy Penders Flanagan and Sean René Wheelan.
Bob delighted in being Pépère to Abby and Finn. He loved travel, art, family gatherings, sharing a bottle of wine with loved ones, the Nutcracker Suite, a friendly game of poker, the Red Sox, a well-tended lawn, and cheap cigars. He enjoyed the camaraderie of a round of golf at Simsbury Farms, especially when he surprised himself with a hole-in-one. He was generous, curious, engaging, and not shy about sharing his opinions in correspondence with journalists, politicians, family, and friends near and far.
Bob was predeceased by his parents Bob and Eileen, his brother Richard Duguay and wife Kathleen Carr, his nephew Monte Wood, his parents-in-law Phil and Georgette Martin, and his sister-in-law Frances Martin. He is lovingly remembered by his four sisters and their spouses: Bonnie and Bill Penders of Old Saybrook, CT; Linda Duguay and Ray Wood of Port Charlotte, FL; Kate Duguay and Kevin Chase of Glastonbury, CT; Eileen (Patty) and George Kachmar of Punta Gorda, FL. He also leaves his in-law family in Montreal: Peter Martin and Hélène Lalonde, and Patrick and Jane Martin. He will be remembered fondly by his 14 nieces and nephews, many dear cousins and special friends.
Bob received exceptional medical care and was grateful for the expertise and compassion offered by so many, especially Dr. Wylie Hosmer, Dr. Kevin Baran, the amazing staff of the Hartford Healthcare Medical Group and floor 5C at the Hospital of Central CT, McLean Home Care & Hospice, and the anonymous donors of blood and platelets whose generosity sustained his life. He was most appreciative of the family and friends who supported him with visits, postcards, emails, phone calls, prayers and love. He was well loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Bob’s memory to either the Leukemia Research Foundation at leukemiarf.org/donate or to Jazz Generation at jazzgeneration.org/donate.
All are welcome to join the family in celebration of Bob’s life on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury. Calling hours begin at 10 AM, with a service from 11 AM to Noon, and reception to follow. The service at 11 AM will be livestreamed in his Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com where you may also leave online tributes in his memory.
Born in Providence, RI, on December 18, 1947, Bob was the cherished son of Robert René Duguay and Eileen Patricia Wheelan. As the eldest of six children, Bob always felt a keen sense of pride and responsibility towards his younger siblings: Bonnie, Dicky, Linda, Katy and Patty. He had fond memories of growing up in Stratford, CT, where he spent as many hours as possible playing baseball at Birdseye Field.
Bob was a graduate of Stratford High School and Fairfield University. He had a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit all his life. As a boy he had a newspaper route and worked at the corner grocery store. At Fairfield U he was part of the janitorial crew and an RA in his dormitory. After college he joined Aetna Life & Casualty as a Bond Underwriter. He was subsequently promoted to Manager of the Toronto Bond Department, and ultimately retired as Director in the home office in Hartford, CT. He then acquired a nationwide gourmet gift business, Fruit Baskets Unlimited, which he ran successfully for the next 25 years.
Bob and Lucille met during their senior year of college. They were married in 1971 at La Chapelle St. Bernard, Ste Marguerite Station, QC. They valued their shared Scottish and French Canadian heritage and the family life they created together. They raised their children in Oakville, ON, and Simsbury, CT, before relocating to Bloomfield. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Bob often expressed how fortunate he was for Lucille’s love and support.
Bob was enormously proud of his four children, their chosen partners, and his precious grandchildren. Left to mourn his passing are Rachel Eileen Duguay, her husband Michael Avenick and their daughter Abigail Lucille of Arlington, VA; Annie Laurie Duguay, her husband Lance Aug and their son Finnegan René of Alexandria, VA; Philip Martin Duguay and his partner Kathleen Saba of Montreal, QC; and Robert Joseph Duguay of Queens, NY. He also leaves his honorary son, Mark Godoy, and godchildren Betsy Penders Flanagan and Sean René Wheelan.
Bob delighted in being Pépère to Abby and Finn. He loved travel, art, family gatherings, sharing a bottle of wine with loved ones, the Nutcracker Suite, a friendly game of poker, the Red Sox, a well-tended lawn, and cheap cigars. He enjoyed the camaraderie of a round of golf at Simsbury Farms, especially when he surprised himself with a hole-in-one. He was generous, curious, engaging, and not shy about sharing his opinions in correspondence with journalists, politicians, family, and friends near and far.
Bob was predeceased by his parents Bob and Eileen, his brother Richard Duguay and wife Kathleen Carr, his nephew Monte Wood, his parents-in-law Phil and Georgette Martin, and his sister-in-law Frances Martin. He is lovingly remembered by his four sisters and their spouses: Bonnie and Bill Penders of Old Saybrook, CT; Linda Duguay and Ray Wood of Port Charlotte, FL; Kate Duguay and Kevin Chase of Glastonbury, CT; Eileen (Patty) and George Kachmar of Punta Gorda, FL. He also leaves his in-law family in Montreal: Peter Martin and Hélène Lalonde, and Patrick and Jane Martin. He will be remembered fondly by his 14 nieces and nephews, many dear cousins and special friends.
Bob received exceptional medical care and was grateful for the expertise and compassion offered by so many, especially Dr. Wylie Hosmer, Dr. Kevin Baran, the amazing staff of the Hartford Healthcare Medical Group and floor 5C at the Hospital of Central CT, McLean Home Care & Hospice, and the anonymous donors of blood and platelets whose generosity sustained his life. He was most appreciative of the family and friends who supported him with visits, postcards, emails, phone calls, prayers and love. He was well loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Bob’s memory to either the Leukemia Research Foundation at leukemiarf.org/donate or to Jazz Generation at jazzgeneration.org/donate.
All are welcome to join the family in celebration of Bob’s life on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury. Calling hours begin at 10 AM, with a service from 11 AM to Noon, and reception to follow. The service at 11 AM will be livestreamed in his Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com