Robert B. Demanche

Robert B. (Rabs) Demanche, 91, of Fairhaven, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at home. He was the husband of the late Jeannette M. Demanche who passed away on August 31, 2024. They shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Falmouth, he was the son of the late Joseph Alfred and Catherine (Brochu) Demanche.

Known as Rabs or Rabbi to most of the town, Robert was a lifelong Fairhaven resident and attended Sacred Hearts School and Fairhaven High School where he graduated in 1951. He was a 3-season athlete at Fairhaven High, where he played football, basketball and baseball with the likes of Bart Leach and under the tutelage of Coach Mel Entin. Robert enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 served two years of active duty out of Fort Lewis, Washington as a Chemical Supply Specialist until being honorably discharged in 1955 as a Corporal. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve for an additional 8 years. Robert began his career as a Firefighter for the Town of Fairhaven in 1961 and dedicated 32 years of service to the town, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant. Rabs continued his love for the game of football as well, being an active member of the Fairhaven Varsity Club.

Rabs was an avid New England sports fan, specifically the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins, for which he held season tickets for several seasons. He and his wife were present (and on their honeymoon) when the Bruins and Bobby Orr won the 1970 Stanley Cup. While he loved watching his favorite professional sports teams, he and his wife could be seen cheering on their children and grandchildren at all of their sporting events and school performances with equal enthusiasm. Despite the fact that the stats may not back it up, his grandchildren were always the best players on the field in his eyes.

Rabs was the reserved, pragmatic sidekick to his enthusiastic, outgoing wife and that is what made them the wonderful, loving couple they were until their passings 18 days apart. It was apparent to all who knew him that Rabs could not be without his beloved wife and we take comfort in knowing that they are together again.

He is survived by his daughters, Katherine Correia and husband Paul of Fairhaven and Jennifer Fortin and husband Stephen of Dartmouth; two sons, Robert Demanche and wife Kerrie of Fairhaven and Christopher Demanche and wife Kelly of Dartmouth; ten grandchildren, Tyler, Brady and Colby Correia, Shea and Ryan Fortin, Tyler, Breanna, Peyton, Collin and Caiden Demanche; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Armand, Paul, Roger and Joseph (Maury) Demanche and his sister, Pauline Portelance.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 8 am- 9:30 am in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 am in St. Mary’s Church, 440 Main St., Fairhaven.

For online tributes, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com