Robert "Bob" S. Dutra

Robert “Bob” Dutra, 90, of North Truro, died on October 9th of complications from Parkinson’s disease. Bob is survived by his wife of 69 years, Clarice, a son David Dutra of Pittsfield, MA, a daughter Sherry Dutra and her partner David Ayotte of Hudson, NH, and a sister, Bernice Packett and her husband Manuel of Winter Haven, Florida. Bob was the son of George and Mary Dutra of North Truro. He is also survived by in-laws Louise DeSilva of Provincetown, Paul Malaquias of Hyannis, Pat Shaw of Provincetown, Jean Malaquias of Cromwell, CT, and many nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from Provincetown High School in 1945 and began working in the family business, Dutra’s Market in North Truro, where he became the 3rd generation of eventually 4 generations to work in the store. He and Clarice were married in 1948. In 1985, Bob sold the business after working there for 40 years and he has been retired for 32 years. He especially enjoyed spending 27 of those years wintering in Winter Haven, FL.

Bob enjoyed telling stories of beginning a 27 year career playing piano in night clubs at the age of 15, an eventful time during World War II when Provincetown hosted men and women from all branches of the service. Over several decades, Saturday night for many couples on the lower Cape meant going out dancing to the music played by Bob Dutra’s band. In his retirement years, he volunteered his time to play piano at nursing homes in both Winter Haven and Provincetown to the great enjoyment of the residents.

While his children were in school, Bob spent 16 years on the Truro School Committee and several Truro-Provincetown regional school committees. Bob enjoyed playing whist, cribbage, enticing birds to his backyard, watching the Boston Red Sox, and over the years going with his wife on many vacations to all parts of the world.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Provincetown, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. At Bob’s request, there will be no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Truro Rescue Squad, PO Box 2013, Truro, MA 02666 or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift.

For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.