Robert A. Decoteau

Robert Allen Decoteau,76, died peacefully on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, NH. Robert (Bob), was born on March 24, 1948 in Claremont, NH, the son of Earl Decoteau, Sr of St. Johnsbury, VT and Irene Decoteau (Provost), of Winooski, VT.

Bob grew up in Claremont, NH and attended Stevens High School where he met his first wife Linda Buckner of Claremont, NH. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Airforce and worked on military aircraft while stationed in Guam during the Vietnam war. He and Linda were married in 1968 and had two Daughters, Kerry (Decoteau) Kellogg of Clearwater, FL and Renee (Decoteau) Prescott of Standish, ME before moving to Manchester, NH where he settled with his family. 

During the time that he was raising his daughters, he began work as an Electronics Technician for Public Service Company of NH and worked there until his retirement in 2003. He would often travel around NH while working on various projects for the company. Summer vacations would include trips with his family to the White Mountains, Vermont, New York and fourth of July outings with the Decoteau family and nighttime bonfires on the New Hampshire/Massachusetts state line.

Bob married for the second time in 1988 when he wed Patricia Duffy of White Plains, NY. He spent over 17 years as a part of the Duffy family and created many great memories with them. He and Patty had many fun adventures together and traveled to Europe, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Salt Lake City. It was during this time that he became a grandfather to his Grandson, Joshua and happily saw both of his daughters get married.

Bob was a friendly, warm-hearted person who was very proud of his Franco-American heritage. At the age of 15 he had worked on a project to research his family tree and that eventually became a life-long passion for Genealogy. He was an active and dedicated member of the American Canadian Genealogical Library in Manchester, NH, and served on the Board of Directors, as well as volunteering many hours over his 50 years of membership. He helped many of the patrons research their own family ancestry, and was very enthusiastic about each new project, never refusing to offer a helping hand to anyone who asked.

He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his cousins and brother, Earl. Although he never really brought anything home from hunting, he would often have a rainbow trout to fry up and share after returning from a weekend fishing trip. 

Bob will always be remembered affectionately by family and friends, especially for his big hearty laugh, really good hugs, and great enjoyment of a little mischief and an off-color joke. He was a loyal brother to his sister, Florence, and a kind Uncle that would always make sure to keep in touch with his nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.

Robert is predeceased by his sisters, Florence M. Van Burger and Elizabeth Decoteau.

He is survived by his daughters, Kerry and her husband Richard Kellogg, Renee and her husband Robert Prescott. His grandson, Joshua Kellogg and his wife Elizabeth, his brother, Earl Decoteau, Jr and his wife Karen, brother-in law Raymond Van Burger, his nephews Michael Decoteau, Earl “Buddy” Decoteau, Gregory Van Burger, Rodney Van Burger and nieces, Robin Decoteau, Lisa Decoteau, and Laura Fenoglio

SERVICES: A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, August 10, 2024, at the St. Mary’s Cemetery (Section Terry A), Claremont, NH. Followed by a luncheon at the Claremont Country Club. Family and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers... a donation can be made to: www.acgs.org/donate

American Canadian Genealogical Library, 1 Sundial Ave Suite 317 N Manchester, NH 03103.