Robert Paul Brodeur

Bob Brodeur rarely needed to announce himself. His melodic, cheerful singing, humming or whistling usually gave his arrival away whenever he was entering a room. Whether it was a snippet of songs from Neil Diamond, Bach, Roy Orbison or The Beach Boys, his cheerful, musical fragments let his many friends know he was on his way. Bob was more a fan of music than a student of music. But his lyrical expressions were perfect. They were vocal hugs. They broke ice. They gave a warm hello. And they were always appreciated from those lucky enough to be on the receiving end. His vocal offerings were the sound of optimism. And who doesn’t welcome some optimism in their life?

 Bob passed away suddenly in his sleep on Thursday, December 12, 2024 after a regular day of stories, laughs, fellowship and fun with his friends and community at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS. It was the culmination of a year of medical challenges that Bob kept bouncing back from – with courage, patience and gratitude.

 Robert “Bob” Paul Brodeur was born in Fall River, Mass., on August 7, 1937 to his father, Joseph Leo Brodeur and his mother, Mary Rose Emma Frechette. Bob enjoyed school, especially math. He also loved to play baseball on the sandlots of Fall River and at B.M.C. Durfee High School.

 At 17, to help out his family and to serve his country, Bob enlisted in the US Navy, embarking on a career that brought him to many places over his 20 years in the service. Along the way, Bob even passed up an invitation to try out for baseball’s Detroit Tigers organization in order to continue his career in the Navy.

 He was a storekeeper and worked in recruitment for the Navy. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica and the Vietnam War. Bob was stationed at Naval Station Newport in Newport News, Va., the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pa., Site One U.S. Navy Submarine Base (Subron14) at the Holy Loch in Scotland and the Naval Submarine Base New London in New London, Conn.

 After retirement from the Navy, Bob had a number of colorful jobs, including being one of the primary bartenders at the popular entertainment venue the Chateau de Ville in Framingham, Mass. Some say he had the same flair behind the bar as Brian Flanagan, the Tom Cruise character in “Cocktail.” Bob also owned his own taxi service in Bellingham, Mass.

 Anyone who got to know Bob learned instantly that he was a diehard and opinionated Boston sports fan who stayed up to date on all the teams through newspapers, sports radio, TV and later the Internet. His favorite team was the Red Sox, and he could and would talk to anyone and everyone about his favorite players Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and “Big Papi” David Ortiz. Needless to say, October 27, 2004 was a cherished date to Bob. That was the day the Red Sox broke the “Curse of the Bambino” and won their first World Series since 1918.

 Bob loved to travel. Together with his wife June, they enjoyed many trips to Florida and to Aruba. They also appreciated cruises to warm destinations. Not long after the death of June, Bob moved to Gulfport.

 At the Armed Services Retirement Home, Bob was a longtime and popular resident. He reveled in playing cards and cribbage with his buddies. He was honored for his many volunteer efforts, including a Christmas toy program for young children and working at the clothing exchange shop for residents at AFRH.

 Bob was also very involved with the Armed Forces Retirement Home Chapel. He really enjoyed services and Bible-study groups – both formal ones and informal ones. He loved to share his passion for his faith with others and ran a prayer group at the Chapel.

 Bob was married three times. His wives are predeceased. They are Geraldine Nunes Brodeur, Pasqueline “Lee” Travaglia Brodeur and June Read Brodeur.

 He was the oldest of four children. Thomas Gerard Brodeur lives with his wife Diane Cappelmann in Hudson, Mass. George Paul Brodeur died in Detroit, Mich., in 1993, and Adeline Brodeur Parnell died in Port Charlotte, Fla., in 2018.

 Bob is survived by his sons, James Robert Brodeur of Fall River, Mass. and Scott Paul Brodeur of Northampton, Mass, as well as daughter-in-law, Barbara Cheney of Northampton, Mass. His grandchildren include Stephanie Brodeur Codega of Fall River, Brittany Brodeur Ouellette of Fall River, Jonathan Frederick Brodeur of Charleston, SC, Gabriel Lee Brodeur of St. Louis, MO, and Elizabeth Emma Brodeur of Columbia, MO. He has two great-grandchildren, Payton Oullette of Fall River and Caleb Oullette of Fall River. Bob is also survived by six stepchildren, Glenn Eaton of Cherry Hill, NJ, Douglas Eaton of Cherry Hill, NJ, Michael Fahey of Mendon, Mass., Brenda Fahey Calvao of Blackstone, Mass., Cliff Fahey of Hickory, NC, and Phil Fahey of Fort Myers, Fla. He also had many nieces, nephews and friends who remember him warmly.

 A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home Chapel in Gulfport. Friends may visit beginning at noon. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with honors by the U.S. Navy. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Bob Brodeur.