ELIOT WARDEN DENAULT

1926 - 2015

DENAULT, Eliot Warden "Peter" Age 89, of Delray Beach, FL, died Thursday, July 30, 2015, surrounded by family at his vacation home in Jamestown, RI. Mr. Denault was born March 11, 1926, in Boston, MA, the son of the late Eliot W. and Marcia (Bartlett) Denault. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy B. Denault; his son Eliot W. Denault III (Peter) of Whitman and Provincetown, MA; his son Charles Denault and his wife Katharine of Acton, MA; his daughter Tamea Denault of Kettle Falls, WA; his daughter Marcy Wemple and her husband John of Barrington, RI; his daughter Michelle Denault and her husband Mark Palmer of Barrington, RI; his eight grandchildren: Michael, Megan, David, Emily, Stuart, Eliot, Reid, Michelle; and one great granddaughter, Sara. Mr. Denault's dog, Copper, whom he rescued from St Martin, stayed by his side until the end. Mr. Denault attended The Hotchkiss School, Maine Maritime Academy, and Yale University. Following his graduation from Maine Maritime, World War II was ending, and his service was extended to the Merchant Marine Service, where he worked for two years as a First Mate on ships sailing between the United States and South America. His service developed an appreciation of travel and adventure that continued throughout his life. He loved to travel with his family, leading many large family trips that ranged from Antarctica, the Middle East, Greece, Russia, the Panama Canal, and Alaska. Everywhere he went, his camera was sure to be found close by as he captured his journeys on film. His favorite destination away from home was Club Orient Resort in St. Martin from where he rescued many island dogs. When he completed his Merchant Marine tour, he remained in the US Navy Reserves and began working for Gulf Oil drilling in the oil fields of Louisiana. When he returned to New England, he co-founded a company that worked on defense department contracts. His work took him to Greenland, Newfoundland, and the Azores. At one time, he operated, under contract, all US based defense department owned tank farms. When the Air Force created the Strategic Air Command, he won the contract to build the tank farm to support the Newington, NH base. This was the cornerstone of what would eventually include 6 tank farms ranging from Delaware to Maine. In addition to the tank farms, he oversaw the development of a commercial real estate portfolio that, at the time of his retirement in 1996, included approximately 22 buildings comprising 1,000,000 sf. As an advocate of education, he created a scholarship at The Hotchkiss School, and quietly provided assistance to students aspiring to higher education. At various times over his life, he served on committees and boards of the Algonquin Club (Boston), Delray Beach Club, and Conanicut Yacht Club (Jamestown). A memorial and celebration will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at his home, 516 Beavertail Road, Jamestown, RI. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Jamestown Fire Department & EMS Division, 50 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown, RI 02835 Attn: Treasurer. Additional information at: www.memorialfuneralhome.com.