WEBSTER- Adolphe E. Dugas, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Rose Monahan Hospice on February 6, 2017.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Emily E. (Kokocinski) Dugas ; by 4 children, Susanne Duszlak, Mary Fura, John Dugas, and Elizabeth Duffy; by 10 grandchildren, Benjamin, James, Thomas, Noelle, Blaine, Paige, John “Jasiu,” Steven, Peter and Jocelynn; by 3 great-grandchildren, Natalie, Niel and Elianna Duszlak; by a brother, Raymond Dugas; by 3 sisters, Leona Barrette, Jeanne Koupas and Cecile Binnette; and by nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter Anna and by his sister Doris Kulik.
He was born on July 5, 1926 in Webster, a son of Adolphe I. and Leokadya M. (Panek) Dugas and lived here all of his life.
A member of “The Greatest Generation,” he was a World War II Navy veteran, serving on the USS Lexington the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
He returned from the Navy and joined his family’s business in 1946 and then founded Dugas Vending Corporation in 1957. He grew this enterprise into one of New England’s largest privately-held vending companies. He was the CEO and chairman until 1987, when he sold the business. He had been an active member of the Webster-Dudley Rotary Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of Hometown Bank.
Al's passion for life was the source of many adventures for his wife and himself. An avid pilot, he flew his own plane across the continental US and then north up the Alaskan highway, eventually landing in Denali National Park. He loved to compete, and you could often find him spending his free time on his tennis courts, racing down a ski trail or running in "Al's biathlon,” a yearly event he sponsored in his hometown. He loved to travel and experience all that life had to offer including bungee jumping in New Zealand, shark diving in Australia and animal tracking in Africa's Serengeti. Al's love of life, firm handshake and infectious smile will be missed by all.
The family would like to extend our sincerest “thank you” to all Al’s caring professionals from both Tatnuck Park and the Rose Monahan Hospice House.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 18, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Support Network, PO Box 839, Southbridge, MA 01550-0839. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster.