Robert W. Desmarais, 88, of Woonsocket died Tuesday at home. He was the loving husband of the late Gloria C. (Beaudreau) Desmarais. They were married for over 62 years at the time of her passing in 2011.
Born and raised in Woonsocket he was the son of the late Wilfred and Dolores (Casalin) Desmarais. He was a Woonsocket resident of most of his life and also lived in Cumberland and Boynton Beach, FL. for several years.
Mr. Desmarais served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the U.S.S. Doneff.
He worked as a professional truck driver for the former Melville Trucking Company and Mark Stevens Inc. He also worked at Dunn’s Worsted as a millwright and later at CVS.
A multi-talented man Bob held his Boilers license. He was a member of the Italian Workingman’s Club. Bob enjoyed soaking up the sun in his backyard and the occasional trip to Twin River. Affectionately known as “Pop”, Bob will be remembered as a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by a son Wayne A. Demsarias and his fiancée, Rhonda Chabot, of Woonsocket and a daughter Patricia Tucker and her husband, Donald Tucker, Jr. of Savanah, GA. He was the brother of the late Lillian Dalasta of Woonsocket and Rena Suffoletto. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew and Kelsey Desmarais, Angela Lanier, Allison Chumley and Ryan Lanier, 2 great-grandchildren Shelby Rose Wilson and Ava Grace Wilson and Rhonda’s children John and Stephanie Straight, Randy Jo Salvas, Brittany Chabot and Rhonda’s 6 grandchildren.
His funeral service will be Monday at 11:30 am in the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Sunday from 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, RI Chapter, 2348 Post Rd. Suite 202 Warwick, RI. 02886.
www.menardfuneralhome.com