Robert John Desaulniers

Robert John Desaulniers, age 79, of Limington Maine, formerly of Dorchester MA, passed peacefully in his sleep, watching his beloved Hallmark Christmas movies, on November 25th, 2025.
Commonly known as "Bob" to many, "Bobby" to those who raised him, "DC" to his oldest friends, and "Grandpa" to his favorite people on earth.
Bob was born in Dorchester Massachusetts, October 22, 1946, to Eugene Ellsworth and Mildred Frances Desaulniers and was the middle child of three. He grew up in a classic "triple decker", in a multi-generational home. His grandmother, Abbie White McNeil, an immigrant from County Kerry, Ireland,was a hugely influential figure in his life. It was from her that he was instilled with his fierce love of family, history and hard work. Sitting at her knee, he learned the craft of the story teller and how to keep memories alive from long ago and far away.
Bob had his early education in Dorchester, both socially and literally. Running the hills of Adams Street , across from Ronan Park, he learned early how to be street smart and how to pretend to be sober in time for church at St. Peter's, on Sundays.
Graduating from B.C. High School in 1964, he worked at Revere Sugar to pay his way through college (and created a life-long horror of sticky foods). After graduating Boston College in 1968, he took a position at Empire Mutual, sparking a career that would span over the next five decades. This path would include Continental Insurance 1974-1994, Royal Insurance 1994-2003, Travelers Insurance 2003-2008, Regional Manager of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 2009-2012, finally retiring from FEMA, as a Regional Insurance Specialist, in 2024.
(In spite of this he would be sure to remind you that his first job was shining shoes, in front of the First National market in Field's Corner, at the tender age of 8.)
Bob was also a long-time member of Our Lady of Mercy parish, in Merrimack NH. For over 30 years he was a eucheristic minister, taught CCD for teens, participated in the "Family Program" and acted in the Stations of the Cross. During the economic crash of the early 2000's, he ran a job facilitator group, through the church, helping find jobs for those without, and, of course, volunteered himself and his family for post- mass coffee and donut time.
Bob had a life-long, deep love of sports. Always a loyal New England fan, he championed the classic four: The Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins and the Patriots.
Bob was known, wherever he went, as an avid story teller (all true of course!) a man of reason and a wicked sense of humor. The bottom line is that he made friends everywhere, no one was a stranger to Bob. He had a way of bringing people together, he was a natural leader, and a gentle, caring soul.
To make a long story short, most of all, Bob loved his family. He took great joy in living with his grandchildren, always the first to offer a ride, a snack, a hug and long talks about how proud he was of them. He never missed a game or a play, and always showed up at Pride to support his loved ones.
He will be desperately missed by his daughter, Laura Durst and her wife, Kayla, of Limington Maine. By his son, Robert C. Desaulniers and his wife, Aubrey, of Portland, Oregon. His three grandchildren; Noah, Rowan and Luke Lewis, of Limington Maine. Also his nieces and nephews; Michelle and her husband, Jeff Foster, of CA, Eugene Desaulniers and his wife Norah, of Salem MA, Tim and his wife Kristen, of MA. and great-nieces Victoria and Abigail Desaulniers of FL.
Bob will also be sorely missed by all of his fur family, whom he loved dearly and spoiled without shame.
He is predeceased by both his brother, Eugene James Desaulniers and his sister, Patricia Mary Desaulniers, with whom he is surly up to dickens with now.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 10th, at 12:30, at St. Peter's Church, in Dorchester MA. This will be followed by an "Irish Wake" reception (location to be updated). All who knew and loved Bob are invited to attend.