Obituary of Robert A. Dubois

Robert A. Dubois “Bob” b. May 19, 1936 Putnam Ct. d. March 16, 2016 Hartford Ct. Known simply as Bob, Robert A. Dubois was a man who poured his life into his family, leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten. Growing up in Putnam, one of his first jobs was setting pins at a local bowling alley – before machines had been installed to take over the job. One could bowl for just ten cents per game. He was also a city wide ping pong champion. After graduating from Ellis Tech he joined the Navy, circumventing the globe and visiting both the north and south pole. Returning after 5 years he started a construction business. It was at that time his real adventure began. The first time we saw Bob, we had no idea that he would become Dad. Here was a 32-year-old bachelor in a blue ‘65 T-bird Convertible who upon taking one look at our family could have turned around and headed the other way. Here he was faced with a widow, Joanne Fafard Walsh and her five children (Jim, Dennis, Ruth, Kevin & Maureen). The youngest, Maureen at age two walk up and called him daddy. Mom was embarrassed but Maureen turned out to be right. Before the year had ended, the family had grown as his niece and nephew, Brenda and Tom Dubois came to live with us. By this point, the family was up to seven kids, and that T-bird was still in the driveway. In 1969, he and mom got married. The T-bird was sold and replaced by a pickup truck. Within a couple years, two more kids were added with the birth of Robert II and Jonathan. Over the years dad devised many was to stretch a dollar. One had to with a family this size. He thought to build a barn with packing crates he bought at a local mill for $1.25 a piece. He had leveled our yard by dragging a section of chain link fence behind his pickup, with every kid in the family sitting on top of it. He developed a small farm to feed the family, and managed to transport the whole family to church every Sunday inside of a 1972 Chevy Nova. We looked like a clown car at the circus when we unloaded every Sunday in the church parking lot! You would think he had reached his limits, but no - he walked in one day from work and asked my mom if she would like to take in foster kids. That started the second phase of our family. Numerous kids passed through our home, but one little red headed infant really caught my parents’ eye, so they adopted her. Kathy then became the latest addition. Later on, they started to specialize in taking care of handicapped foster children and those with special needs. This brought Shawn, Melissa, and Sarah into our family. At an age where most people are retiring to enjoy the fruits of their labors, Mom and Dad kept on going - Mary being the latest addition to the family. On Wednesday March 16, heaven gained another angel. Our dad (Pepe’) passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. He was with his wife Joanne who never left his side the week he was hospitalized, and other family members. Quite often his room was so crowded with family members that we had to put chairs in the hallway for people to sit. This was his legacy. 13, well now 14 children, 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. There are now Dubois’ and Walshs’ scattered all over New England, and other parts of the world. When you run into one, odds are very good that he or she is one of “Bob’s”. Robert “Bob” Dubois will be buried in Munyan Cemetery with full military honors. His grandson, and name sake, Spc 4 Robert A. Dubois III, just recently returned from active duty in Iraq, will be present to present the colors to the family. Robert is preceded in death by his parents Altheade and Abigail Dubois, as well as his four sisters Theresa, Florence, Stella and Anna. Calling Hours will be Tuesday, March 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. A Funeral Service will be Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Followed by burial Munyan Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Bob’s memory to: Tri-State Baptist Academy, 386 Quinebaug Road, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com.