Obituary of Robert Louis Duplisea

Robert Louis Duplisea passed away suddenly on April 30, 2008 at his home at the Ridgewood Veterans Wing, South Bay, NB. Born in Fairville on July 22, 1918, he was a son of the late William and Margaret (Boyle) Duplisea of Enniskillen, NB. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Daisy (Davidson) in September of 1989 and is survived by daughter Sherry (Art) McKay, granddaughter Stacey McKay-Killingbeck (Dwayne), great-granddaughter Morgan; granddaughter Shelly (James) Fougere; daughter Valerie Riley, grandson David Riley and great grandson Matthew; granddaughter Shannon Riley and great grandson John; daughter Belinda (Barry) Downing and grandsons Michael and Justin; two sisters Helen Marcy and Mary Koziol and several nieces and nephews, as well as sisters in-law Dorothy Humphrey (Daisy’s Twin) and Mary (Reid) Duplisea. Bob was a veteran of World War II and served as a gunner with the 4th Heavy Battery 3rd (NB) Coast Brigade RCA on Partridge Island. Bob was currently a member of the Jervis Bay Branch #53 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Bob liked talking about his past experiences and often recalled stories from his youth, and how hard all the boys worked to help provide for their mother. This included Wilson Box Mill and shovelling snow for the railroad in Fairville. His favourite memory was of being a caddy at the site of the Ridgewood Hospital, where ironically he spent his last days. A plumber by trade, Bob was well known in the Saint John area. As a young man working for his Uncle Joe at Boyle’s Hardware, he began by making stove pipe and made his way up to helping the plumbers. He eventually established his own business, from which he retired. As a councillor of the Parish of Simonds and the City of Saint John, Bob became very involved in sports, often sponsoring local ball teams and helping to establish the Simonds Centennial Arena, as well as Rockwood Park facilities. Hunting, fishing, golf and horses were high on his list of interests, as well as swimming (especially daily treks from Dominion Park to Morna and back) and he received many trophies as a young man. Bob was instrumental in supporting the local police patrols by horseback, and one of his most prized awards was being made an honorary member of the Saint John Policeman’s Protective Association Local 61 CUPE in 1970. Ponies and horses were a great hobby, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Great granddaughter Morgan, at age 4, is taking riding lessons, much to Grampy Bob’s delight. Over the years Bob belonged to the Masons, the Shriners and was a charter member of the Simonds Lions Club, helping to create the Loch Lomond Villa. Words cannot express the appreciation the family has for the staff of the Ridgewood facility, who were always there for Bob and his family; the friends he made among the staff and patients, and the commissionaires who became his friends. The kindness shown by the staff and management was beyond belief. A special thank you to the ambulance staff for their kind support and to Stacey for getting Belinda safely to Saint John in the storm. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Friday from 2 to 9pm. There will be a Legion Tribute Service, Friday at 7pm, during visitation. The funeral service will be held from Brenan’s Chapel on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 11:30am. There will be a hymn sing with Marie Short before the funeral, starting at 11am. Following cremation, there will be a private family interment in Riverbank Cemetery, Norton, NB, at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to Romero House, Hestia House, the Ridgewood Comfort Fund, or to any charity of the donor’s choice. www.brenansfh.com