Robert Raymond Drapeau

Robert Raymond Drapeau of Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the age of 73. He died in the hospital surrounded by family and friends following complications associated with diabetes and heart and kidney diseases. He is survived by his wife Brenda; his daughter Michelle; his son Rob, daughter-in-law Amy and their children: Sophia, Joseph, Olivia, Francesca, Maximilian, Gemma, and Chiara; his mother Barabara Drapeau; his brothers Roland (Lori), Ronald (Melody), Roger (Kathy), and Deacon Roy Drapeau (Teri); and his sister Rosemary Marrotte-Larocque (Tom). He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Drapeau and his daughter Angelita. Robert was born on December 7, 1944 in Fall River, MA to Raymond and Barbara Drapeau. He attended Immaculate Conception grade school and Taunton High School in Taunton, MA. He left high school at 17 to join the Air Force and went on to serve for 21 years in Southeast Asia, Tucson, AZ, Puerto Rico, Minnesota, Taiwan, and Japan. He was a proud patriot who loved his country very much. He retired in 1982 at Vandenberg, A.F.B. in California, having achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant. Robert fell in love with the island, the people, and the café con leche of Puerto Rico while stationed at Ramey, A.F.B. It was there on la isla del encanto that he met and married the love of his life, Brenda Iris Cortés. The two were happily married for 52 years and had three children: Angelita, who was stillborn, and twins Rob and Michelle. Rob was born on Robert's birthday (Pearl Harbor day a.k.a "a day that will live in infamy") while daughter Michelle was born the following day (on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception). For most of his military career Robert worked in hospital administration and hoped to continue to do so as a civilian contractor upon his retirement. For reasons beyond his control, the job he had lined up at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO fell through, prompting him and his family to relocate to Phoenix. Robert spent the rest of his life in Phoenix, providing for his family and striving to live out the universal call to holiness through various jobs. He enjoyed lattes, movies, flowers, beautiful cars, and the great State of Colorado. Robert lead a Charismatic prayer group for many years and was proud to be a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He recently completed training to become a Stephen Minister at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic parish and looked forward to serving in that capacity. He passed away before officially beginning his service, but not before making a difference in the lives of his fellow Stephen Ministers. He gave generously to many charitable organizations. Although he suffered much from numerous health issues, Robert was always cheerful and strove to unite his suffering with that of Jesus. The joy of the Lord was his strength and that joy was contagious.