Donald R. Despres, 71, husband of Judith (DeLuca) Despres, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Hartford on December 30, 1945, he was a son of the late Albert A. and Delina M. (Pigeon) Despres. A lifelong Meriden resident, making and keeping many friends. He attended St. Laurent School and went on to Mt. St. Charles Academy, Woonsocket, RI, and graduated Platt High School, Class of 1964.
Mr. Despres served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1971 and was employed by the Southern New England Telephone Company, as a cable splicing technician until he retired. He began working for G4S Secure Integration LLC in 2001 as a Network Control Operator. Don was a member of the Masonic Meridian Lodge #77, Meriden CT. He especially enjoyed road trips on his Honda Gold Wing with his traveling buddies and visiting new places. Being with family and friends here and in Canada were always good times. He enjoyed fishing with his sons and spending time in New Hampshire. Don’s conversation and humor will be truly missed by his family, friends and breakfast buddies.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his two sons, Steven Despres and wife Elisa, Scott Despres and wife Tracey, his granddaughter Jessica Despres, his sister Jeanne Schmidt, his brother Robert Despres and wife Marie and his father-in-law Willard E. DeLuca. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews will recall and hold dearly his enthusiastic kidding and laughter.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street, Meriden CT 06450.
A Mass of Christian Burial will held on Monday, January 30th at 10 a.m. at St. Laurent Church, 121 Camp Street, Meriden CT 06451. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial with military honors will be in St. Laurent Cemetery, 1151 Hanover avenue, South Meriden, CT 06451.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-2396 or Transportation Fund Sphinx Shriners, P O Box 310157, Newington, CT 06131-0157

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