Lucien Ducret

Ducret, Lucien C.
Lucien Charles Ducret died on June 9, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 19th to Constant and Angela Ducret in Geneva, Switzerland. He received a mechanical engineering degree from Ecole des Arts et Metiers. Lucien was one of three engineers selected out of over 300 applicants to come to America to work for Paillard, a camera manufacturer. Later joining Bolsey Associates, he distinguished himself by working on the shutter mechanism for the Lunar Orbiter. He always told family one of his proudest accomplishments was working on the space program. The Orbitor's mission was to map the moon for the Apollo landing and it took the famous photo "Earthrise". Lucien also met his future wife Carol at Bolsey.
Lucien was an inventive and creative person from a very young age. As a child he "borrowed" his mom's sewing machine and replaced the needle with a wood cutting blade calling it a "sawing machine". Later on, someone else at a Swiss company was credited with the invention of the jigsaw.
In 1973 Lucien invented the Roto-Split which would change the course of his life. When he was wiring a room in his Norwalk home he designed a tool that spawned a new company. The idea took shape when he learned that the local hardware store had nothing better than a hacksaw for cutting BX cable and he said "there has to be a better way." Lucien invented the Roto-Split which became the foundation for his business Seatek Company and it is now the industry standard having sold more than two million tools.
Seatek grew into a successful business with Lucien constantly inventing new tools and machines. He was granted over 35 patents and won numerous awards for his inventions.Seatek became a family affair with his wife and his son Marc as well as many other relatives working throughout the company's 43 years.
In 1986 Lucien purchased a house on the water which was a dream of his. As a perfectionist, he was constantly renovating and improving the home for his family. Numerous relatives and friends gathered at this special place for holidays, birthdays and weekend get togethers, fishing, sailing, swimming and enjoying spectacular sunsets.
Lucien always liked being outdoors and he won many trophies racing his sailboat "Relax" and even started a part-time company making boat fittings, which was the first Seatek. He loved photography, and as a child he bought his first camera at a flea market. Although this camera was over 50 years old he was able to use his talents to modify and repair it to take beautiful photographs.These photos continue to be enjoyed by his family and are a wonderful keepsake to tell his life story.
Motorcycles were another passion; he raced a Gilera Saturno that he expertly modified. He often told the story of going to the Gilera factory in Italy and knocking on the gates until they let him in to buy racing parts. He always regretted selling this bike when he left Switzerland and his dream was realized when he was able to purchase one in America. Lucien spent many hours lovingly restoring this motorcycle.
One of his legacies was storytelling. At family gatherings his grandchildren were mesmerized by "Pop Pop's" tales of unbelievable adventures in Switzerland where he was free to roam and discover new things every day.
Lucien will be cherished for his loyalty and devotion to family and friends, sense of humor, intelligence, and ability to captivate people. He was also known for his corny jokes; he even kept the doctors and nurses laughing at his bedside these last few weeks. Lucien will be remembered as an inventor, an entrepreneur and for his love of this country. He was proud to become a US citizen and to have lived the American dream. He was truly a special person who will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Lucien was a resident of Greenwich and an active member of the Old Greenwich Lions Club for over 40 years. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rocky Point, Old Greenwich Yacht Club, and Ponus Yacht Club. As a lifelong Republican, he was passionate about his beliefs and loved to discuss politics.
Lucien is survived by the love of his life and wife of 48 years, Carol Caruso Ducret of Old Greenwich; three children: Marc Lucien Ducret and his wife Maureen Leta Ducret of Old Greenwich, Laura Ducret Botoff and her husband Daniel Botoff of Greenwich and Jacqueline Ducret Partridge and her husband Michael Partridge of Riverside; six grandchildren: Nicole, Lucien Charles "Charlie" and Eric Ducret, Dylan and Gavin Botoff and Vivian Partridge.
Calling hours will be held at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich on Sunday, June 12 from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave, Riverside on Monday, June 13 at 11am. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, 399 North St, Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Lucien's name to the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Health Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd. Stamford CT 06902 or the Old Greenwich Lion's Club P.O. Box 215 Old Greenwich, CT 06870.