Robert Joseph Courville

Robert Joseph Courville, 95, died August 1, 2016 surrounded by his family who with love, affection and admiration said farewell to a great husband, father, grand- father and great grand-father. Bob, was the second of two sons and three daughters born to Alice Farley Courville and Joseph A. Courville in Marlborough, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1920. His early schooling was at St. Ann's Academy where morning classes were taught in French and afternoon classes were in English. His French education came in handy while serving in France during World War II as an interpreter and years later as a member of the Friendship Force in France.

In 1942, Bob enlisted in the Army. He was a member of the 480th Engineer Maintenance Company landing in France following the invasion of Normandy. His engineer group was responsible for rebuilding the harbor bridges, roads and troop housing. While waiting to ship out on this fateful mission he met and soon married Eloise Laura Pike of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Following his return in 1945, Bob and Eloise lived in Marlborough, MA. where the first two of their six daughters were born. In Marlborough, he graduated Salutatorian from the New England Institute of Accounting.

In 1950, Bob moved to Raleigh as an accountant with Carolina Power and Light. In 1956 he began a 30 year career with the Prudential Insurance Company. Although he began his career in Raleigh, he was quickly promoted to Staff Manager in New Bern, North Carolina. where he won numerous awards for outstanding sales production and earned the coveted Certified Life Underwriters (CLU) designation. In 1963, Bob returned to Raleigh as District Manager continuing to be recognized for outstanding leadership and success. He left North Carolina for five years to serve as District Manager in Augusta, Georgia, Bob returned to Raleigh to lead the Prudential District until his retirement in 1982.

Always a person of unbeatable problem solving skills and insight, Bob embarked on retirement with the same intensity and zeal as his career. He continued studying economics, business trends and history. He taught himself to make beautiful mahogany, walnut and inlay furniture for his wife and daughters - hand sanding each piece until it was smooth as glass. As a craftsman he was always available with advice and construction assistance, many times outworking those half his age.

Throughout retirement he traveled down the Amazon in South America, the Seine in France, and went on Safari in Africa as a goodwill ambassador with the Friendship Force. Bob and Eloise were hosted in the homes of citizens of the country. They in turn hosted Ambassadors from France in their home. Bob eventually visited every continent. At the age of 87 Bob and Eloise took the trip of a life time to Antarctica where they walked among the penguins.

Christmas was a special time for Bob and his family. There was always a huge family party on Christmas Eve. Following mass, dinner at a daughter's house, and presents for all was the event that everyone waited for. Granddad's "Money Jar". Not much for shopping, Bob saved change all year so that the grandchildren and great-grandchildren could reach into the jar and retrieve a handful of change to spend on anything they wanted - a precursor to the "gift card". What started years before as a treat for his children - in case they didn't get some small present that Santa forget - transformed into a family tradition that will never be forgotten.

A lifelong Catholic, Bob was a Charter member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where he served as a member of the Knights of Columbus and as an usher for over 50 years.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Eloise; his sister Margaret Silva of Marlborough, Massachusetts; his daughters: Susan (Hank) Baldwin, Joyce Hayes, and Gail (William) Gilmore of Raleigh, North Carolina; Kathy (Kent) Craig of Nashville, Tennessee and Debbie (David) Yates of Toccoa, Georgia; Grandchildren: Lynn Holt, Laura Smith, Elizabeth Baldwin, Christine Green, Courtenay Wilson, Amy Gilmore, Elizabeth Vivier, Jennifer Reese, Robert Yates, Thomas Yates, Sam Yates, David Yates, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Bob is pre-deceased by his daughter Mary Ann Courville; his parents Alice Farley Courville and Joseph A. Courville, his brother Joseph Courville, sisters Rita Corrine, Madeleine Brigham of Marlborough, MA. and son-in-law, Nathan Hayes of Raleigh, NC.

A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive guests at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen, 121 Hillsborough St. Raleigh NC 27603.