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Robert E. Durfee

Jan 25, 2018

Robert E. Durfee, age 99, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018 at the Hunt Community in Nashua. He was born on July 27, 1918 in Gloversville, NY, the son of the late Otis K. and Edna M. (English) Durfee.

Robert graduated from Gloversville High School in 1935 and went on to graduate from Clarkson College of Technology in 1940 with a BA in Mechanical Engineering. He was employed by E.I. DuPont DeNemours & Company for over 37 years. He started employment in 1940 as a staff engineer in Toledo, OH, followed by various assignments at manufacturing plants in Parlin, NJ, Ft. Madison, IA and Everett and Leominster, MA. He advanced through the positions of shop supervisor, plant engineer, assistant plant manager and plant manager. In 1945 and early 1946, he was on special assignment in Wilmington, DE, performing engineering for post war planning and modernization in the F & F Department. From 1967-1976 he served as manager salaried personnel in the Dupont F & F Department, retiring in November of 1977 as the Leominster, MA plant manager.

During his various assignment locations, Robert participated in many other organizations and served in many roles. While in Iowa, he served as the director of the Chamber of Commerce for four years and one year as president. He was also the president of the United Fund in 1955. In Everett, MA, he served on the Chamber of Commerce for three years and was director of the MA Safety Council for four years. In Winchester, MA, he was director of the Boat Club for three years.

In 1945 during WWII, Robert trained as an officer in the U.S. Naval Seabees at Davisville, RI and was discharged following cessation of the war. Robert was also a member of the First Church Nashua, Congregational U.C.C. and the Masonic Fraternity Ancient York Lodge number 89 since 1944.

Robert married his late wife Dorothy A. Powell in Worcester, MA on August 31, 1940 and enjoyed 64 years of marriage together before her passing in 2004. Over the years, they enjoyed numerous activities such as swimming, canoeing, fishing, sailing, snow and water skiing, bowling and golf. They also enjoyed their summer home on Pleasant Lake in Northwood, NH from 1965-2004 where Robert served on the board of directors of the lake association for many years, including two, two year terms as president.

Robert is survived by his three daughters, Sharon J. Chase of Nashua, Judith C. Remmes of Stoneham, MA and Beverly S. Rairigh of New Castle, DE; five grandchildren, Robert S. Holt, Amy E. Curry, Shawn A. Rairigh, Kimberly S. Peregrin and Kelly E. Scott; two step grandchildren, Jennifer and Daniel Remmes; ten great grandchildren, Emily, Jessica and Jacob Holt, Gavin, Carson and Ashton Peregrin, Elena and Addison Scott and Lucas and Vivian Rairigh and three step great granddaughters, Gretchen Gilbert and Serena and Miranda Remmes.

SERVICES: Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a calling hour on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 10:00AM-11:00AM at the Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock St., Nashua. A funeral service will start promptly at 11:00AM at the Davis Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow in the Edgewood Cemetery, Amherst St., Nashua. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Robert’s name may be made to the Hunt Community Scholarship Program, 10 Allds St., Nashua, NH 03064. The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua has been placed in charge of arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneral

homenh.com, (603-883-3401) “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.”