Robert Gilbert DesRoches

Robert “Bob” G. DesRoches, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2021. Born June 28, 1930 in Windsor, Canada, Bob was the son of Eugere and Doris (Stevens) DesRoches. An avid outdoorsman, he grew up in Toronto where he met and married the love of his life, Betty, his wife for 55 years who predeceased him in December 2010. Bob’s employer transferred the couple to Buffalo, New York in 1959. This was the first of many transfers that took them to Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver, Puerto Rico, Indianapolis, and finally to Connecticut. A resident of Wethersfield for the past fifty-one years, he was a youth hockey and football coach in the 70’s and a soccer coach in the 2000’s. Bob’s life was centered on his family and one of the highlights of each year, for over 15 years, was the annual family vacation in Maine with his wife Betty, their two sons and wives, and all of his grandchildren. He was a loving father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his sons, Gerald of Wethersfield and Michael of Rocky Hill and their spouses Katrina, and Diane, who he loved as if they were his own daughters. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Matthew, Douglas, Alexander, and Nicole, whose many soccer and softball games, wrestling matches and school events he thoroughly enjoyed. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Delores Champagne, of Milton, Ontario. Bob enjoyed spending his free time carving duck decoys and shorebirds, as well as keeping physically fit walking two miles a day. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and a past member of the Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford, he retired in 2006.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Bob’s life will take place on Saturday, June 5th 2021 at 10:30 am in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. A private burial will take place in Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill. It is recommended that everyone in attendance wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in support of the DesRoches Family Accounting Enhancement Fund c/o The UConn Foundation, 2390 Alumni Drive, U-3206, Storrs, CT 06269. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel of Wethersfield is assisting the family with the arrangements. For on line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com