Donald Alfred Roberge

Donald A. Roberge, 84, of East Hartford, loving husband for over 61 years of Pat (Cosgrove) Roberge, peacefully entered into eternal life with his caring family by his side at his home on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, after a brief illness. Born in Hartford on May 15, 1934, the son of the late Henry and Rose (Zaleski) Roberge, he had been a resident of East Hartford since 1963. Don was a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Class of 1952 and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War era. Prior to his retirement, Don was employed for over 30 years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford. He was a longtime faithful communicant of Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church in East Hartford and an active member of the church Retiree’s Club. He was also a member of the Army & Navy Club in Manchester and a former member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #19 in Hartford. Don enjoyed traveling, especially exploring the National Parks, golfing, and spending time working in his yard. He was always ready to jump in the car and go on an adventure. He was an avid fan of UCONN athletics, holding season tickets to the women’s basketball team and the football team. Don was a compassionate and gentle soul who was always willing to lend a hand. He touched many lives and was an inspiration to all who knew him. Most of all, Don was a devoted and proud husband, father and grandfather who cherished his time with his family.

Along with his beloved wife Pat, Don is survived by two daughters, Donna Donovan and her husband, Arthur, of Manchester, and Karen Roberge of Norwalk; two special grandsons, Michael J. Donovan and his wife, Jessica, of Arlington, MA, and Matthew R. Donovan and his partner, Anna Brown, of Boulder, CO; a sister-in-law, Catherine Cosgrove of Newington; a nephew, Thomas Cosgrove and his wife, Domini, and their children, Daina and Andrew of England. He was predeceased by a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carmela (Cosgrove) and Leonard Dannahey, and a brother-in-law, Thomas J. Cosgrove.

Funeral service will be Thursday, January 24, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Thursday morning. Burial with military honors will follow at Veteran’s Memorial Field #2 at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Wednesday, January 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. The family would like to thank the nursing staff of 8-7 and 9-9 at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center for their kindness and support during this difficult time. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.