Hi Rob,   it has been a privilege having you as part of our family.   Your sense of family values are just one of the many  characteristics  I like about you.   You were proud to be my daughter's godfather.   And you were the best brother in law anyone could hope for.   Thank you for being the best husband for my sister. 
Elizabeth  

I am humbled and pleased to share the passage I offered at Rob's Memorial Service:

A GOOD MAN ...
A good man never dies--
  In worthy deed and prayer
And helpful hands, and honest eyes,
  If smiles or tears be there:
Who lives for you and me--
  Lives for the world he tries
To help--he lives eternally.
  A good man never dies.
Who lives to bravely take
  His share of toil and stress,
And, for his weaker fellows' sake,
  Makes every burden less,--
He may, at last, seem worn--
  Lie fallen--hands and eyes
Folded--yet, though we mourn and mourn,
  A good man never dies.

Rob had all the traits of a good man.  I think we all recognize and agree on that.  He was a strong man, not just in muscle but in character; the type of man who didn’t need to go around telling everybody how great he is or about his many accomplishments.  He was humble and unassuming; he was modest, hard working and proud.  Traits all men should strive to exhibit.  Rob and I did several home projects together.  I appreciated his construction knowledge and I think he appreciated working with me because I didn’t yack all day.  Rob said what needed to be said he didn’t embellish.

But in the end, as the saying goes, “it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years”.  Rob made the most out of his years and lived the life he wanted.

I am a better man for knowing him.  He will be missed.



After Rob passed in November, many memories about my “younger brother” flooded back, and they all made me smile remembering silly things like:
•	Finding Rob and Richie in the basement strumming guitars singing the famous “I don’t know, I just don’t know” song; 
•	Being frustrated with Rob when he put the wrestling “knee cap” hold on me so I couldn’t defend myself when we were horsing around; 
•	Calling him Bung O’ Bung using our secret language or, 
•	Waiting to hear his big Alside delivery truck come roaring through my neighborhood the same day every week so he could stop for a visit and cookies (but mostly for the cookies) and of course hearing:  
•	Rob’s famous line: “If you’re not handsome, you better be handy”
Rob was the favored son in the family and he possessed traits, like his father, of quiet contemplation, humbleness, and inner strength to survive - especially living in a house with 4 loud sisters and a crazy ass mother.  
Those traits guided him well as he grew up, started his own life and family and especially when he faced the challenges of cancer head on.  Sometimes when the treatments were particularly heavy, his resilience and ability to fight the cancer back was amazing.  We often called him “Superman” for his feats of strength.  
But what is the definition of a super hero?  Many years ago I found a quote from Christopher Reeve - who had his own challenges - and I carry it with me to this day.  He said:  “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to preserve and endure.”  That’s how I think of Rob and how I will remember him always.  A Super Hero!  

In closing I would like to share this Irish prayer:

May you see God’s light on the path ahead, when the road you walk is dark
May you always hear, even in your hour of sorrow, the gentle signing of a lark
When times are hard, may hardness never turn your heart to stone
May you always remember when the shadows fall
You did not walk alone
Rest well Rob.  I love you


Rick and I will cherish the memories of you being part of Christmas eves  with all of us and the good times  held  at your home with you and Altana. I hold close to heart our talks and laughs. We will remember you as a kind and gentle man, a loving husband and proud dad. You leave us all with a piece of you. We will miss you always.   

Duke was such an amazing person! He  was my best friend! We created so many memories together and he was huge part of my life. He was so genuine and real. He was the type of person who would do anything for you and would always be there when you needed him, no matter what. I knew a different side of Duke that probably not a lot of people knew. We were so close and shared everything. He was the first person I called when my wife and I got the call from the state of Maine to let us know they had this little girl named Eva who needed a home. Beth and I were very excited but also very nervous, and Duke was the one who would tell me "you got this" and that we were the perfect people to raise this girl. I remember him saying if you can deal with me and the rest of the kids at Alside this, Eva would be easy. Eva loved Duke. She would alway look forward to him coming over to ride the 4 wheelers and especially during hunting season. Duke helped me so much in life. I could tell him anything and never worry about him judging me. We spent hundreds of hours together alone in the woods hunting. It was a passion for both of us, and next to our families, probably the most important parts of our lives. We would talk about anything and everything. We would sit there and just ponder. We did it in the rain, snow, freezing cold...it didn't matter. And it didn't really matter if we got anything. We were just together enjoying our passion. We had a lot of success over the years and it was so much fun. Duke was never big on showing emotion, but on those days we got something he was like a little kid. He was not a hugger but always wanted a big hug when we got one. Hunting will never be the same again without you Duke! Duke was such a good family man. Joey and Altana were the most special people to him. He would talk about them all the time and tell me stories. They were so lucky to have him as a father and husband.  I miss you everyday Duke and life will never be the same for me. 

I served with Duke on the USS Monongahela. So sorry to hear this news. Prayers for comfort and peace for all of the family. RIP Shipmate! 

I'm so sorry to have read about Robert's passing. I was a classmate at St. Joe's and have many fond memories of him and our time together. We shared many laughs together and remembering him now still brings a smile to my face.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks for being amazing husband to my favorite Auntie ❤️
Happy hunting in heaven Uncle Bobby .
Miss you !

Dear Joey, I am very sorry for your father's passing. I remember you from Riverton School in Portland and remember your dad and mom as two very loving parents. My own father passed away of cancer when I was 34. I am almost 73 now, and not a day goes by when I don't think of my dad with a smile  on my face. Your dad's memory will be a positive part of every day. Best wishes to you and your mother.- Jill Blackwood


So sorry for your loss. My memories are from high school. He was such a kind, quiet, caring gentleman. He was well liked by all and a great football player.  I hope your many wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.

Altana and Joe - Sending love and prayers as you celebrate the life of your wonderful husband and father.  May all your favorite memories of the good times continue to comfort you.  Love - Uncle Joey & Linda

	Dad was always a source of strength and guidance to myself and to everyone who knew him. I learned so much from his example, to be hard-working, honest, fair, and a straight shooter. The care and commitment that he showed for giving Mom and I a good life, the dedication that he took towards building a good home for us (literally, in many cases), his love of nature, his fidelity to his family; all these things and more will be part of my most cherished memories of him, and will remain a source of inspiration for me forever. While I’ll always wish we had just a bit more time together, that we could understand each other just a bit better, or even that I could have lived up to his expectations just a bit better, I’m proud to have had such a wonderful father, and I will strive to keep these parts of him alive in myself, doing my best to live up to the legacy that he left behind.

I am grateful to have had 31 years of marriage with you.  I don’t know how two people with different interests could be so compatible; but we were. We both put the other persons needs first.  I’m sorry we were never able to fulfill our retirement dreams.  I’m lost without you.  I will love you forever and always. 
Altana (aka Scootles) 💕


OBITUARY

Robert Joseph Duclos

October 19, 1962 – November 21, 2020

Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home

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