Robert J. Claveau

NASHUA -- Robert J. Claveau, 66, died Dec. 26, 2009 at St. Joseph Hospital with his family by his side. He succumbed to a short but courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Salem, Mass., Sept. 25, 1943 to Albert Claveau and Evelyn (Mayhew) Claveau Dobens. He was raised in Nashua and attended Nashua schools.

"Mr. Bob" worked at Staples on Amherst Street in Nashua for the past 10 years as a sales associate.He spent most of his career as a plant maintenance engineer at the New Hampshire Technical College in Nashua. He also was a maintenance lead at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, and worked maintenance at the Courville in Nashua. He worked as a driver/manager for his uncle, the late Senator Thomas Claveau, at T.J. Claveau Transportation, and Ziebart Auto & Truck Rustproofing in Hudson. He was also a driver/dispatcher for Hudson Bus Lines in Nashua. He was a professional locksmith, and an apprentice electrician.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era.

In his youth, he enjoyed scuba diving, judo, karate, hunting, fishing, and fixing cars. As a youngster, he worked for George's Farm Stand in Merrimack, and Thom McCann Shoe Factory in Nashua.He was a coach for several years for the Nashua North Little League, and the Nashua North All Stars.

IN HIS LIFE: He enjoyed fixing things, gardening, traveling, a Dunkin Donuts coffee and a smoke. His favorite pastime was fishing, he could often be seen at the Pennichuck Bridge on Tinker Road.

The "Tool Man" could fix anything. To Bob, attitude was everything. He told it like it was, and if he had a job to do, get out of his way, the work was getting done. He ran circles around men half his age.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by two stepfathers, Robert Dobens and John Dobens of Nashua, and a sister Joanne Tessier Cuillo of Arizona.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Tyna Claveau, and his son, John, both of Nashua, two brothers, Lawrence Claveau and his wife, Diane of Milford, Lucien Claveau of Florida, four sisters, Lorraine Lagasse and her husband Richard of Florida, Linda Robichaud and her husband Dick of Arizona, Diane Cloutier of Arizona, Alice Gagnon and her husband Glenn of Arizona, a goddaughter Julie Durfee of Arizona, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Bob's indelible spirit will live on with those that loved him.

SERVICES: There are no services. St. Laurent Funeral Home, 116 Elm St., Nashua, is handling the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, or American Cancer Society.For more information, go to www.stlaurentfuneralhome.com