Ronald J. Dube

Ronald J. Dube, age 76 of East Freetown, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on the morning of February 16, 2023, after a tireless battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed with Mary Beth (Scanlon) Dube by his side, his loving wife of 48 years.

Ron was born in Acushnet, MA where he lived until elementary school when his parents purchased a home on the shores of Long Pond in Freetown. His parents, the late Roland J. Dube and the late Juliette (Gonneville) Dube, relocated in the 1950s with a vision to create a home by a lake for their children. As it turns out, that decision benefitted four generations and counting. He enjoyed a lifetime in this neighborhood.

Long Pond, mostly known as “The Pond” became an epicenter for memories. Ron raised and cared for horses with his family for many years on their property by the pond. He shared many memories riding with his dad and their friends throughout Massachusetts in the 1950s and 1960s.

A passion for drag racing began to develop in high school and carried on for the entirety of his life thereafter. He eventually traded in his love of horses for a love of horsepower. He spent many weekends with friends and family sharing a love for speed at New England Dragway in Epping, NH. The friendships created here were second to none.

Ron graduated from Apponequet Regional High School in 1965. Shortly after graduation, he became a member of the National Guard, stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia. After a few years in the National Guard, Ron rejoined The Optical Laboratory, the family business founded by his father. Here he worked alongside his mother, his father, and his late brother, Dennis Dube. As an optician, he enjoyed the camaraderie of a small business with his co-workers and friends who all shared in growing a successful business together. Most of all, he enjoyed helping people in their quest to see better. He loved making eyeglasses and the gratification that came along with helping someone improve their vision.

Following the sale of The Optical Lab, Ron decided he could not endure retirement. Eventually, he had an idea to apply for a job at Freetown Elementary School. Here he could work while his granddaughter attended elementary school. He enjoyed seeing his granddaughter, Emma, in passing, getting to know the schoolteachers and staff, and developing friendships with all of them.

Ron loved to boat, drag race, and most of all spend time with his family. He loved his wife, Mary Beth, deeply. He cherished his Friday conversations with his sister Diane (Dube) Tichon. He valued working alongside his mother, father, and brother. He loved spending time with his two children and three grandchildren, and teaching his many nieces, nephews, and extended family members how to waterski – some more successfully than others.

Ron is survived by his wife Mary Beth (Scanlon) Dube; his daughter Kara Dube and her significant other Dana Fernald; and his son Tyler Dube and his wife Ashley (Weagraff) Dube of Norwell, MA; his sister Diane (Dube) Tichon and husband Dan Tichon of Fairhaven, MA; and his three grandchildren Emma Fernald, Tess Dube, and Jack Dube. He was proud of all of us, and we were immensely proud of him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Ron Dube to: The Dana Farber Cancer Institute or Community Nurse Home Care.

Ron’s visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 4:00pm to 7:00PM in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02745. Relatives and friends are invited. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023, 10:00AM in St. John Neumann Church, 157 Middleboro Rd., East Freetown, Massachusetts. Burial will take place in the very near future. To leave a note of condolence: wwwrock-funeralhome.com