Mr. Robert L. Dupree, affectionately known as Moose to many, age 73, of 20 Haskell Street, peacefully passed away on Wednesday morning, September 14, 2011 at his home, where he was under the loving care of his wife and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. He had been in failing health since suffering a stroke in May 2010.
Bob was born October 25, 1937 in Massena, the son of the late Lloyd Andrew and Bessie Rae Countryman Dupree. He attended Massena High School and received his GED while serving in the US Marines. On February 19, 1977, he married Gloria McDonald in Massena with Rev. Russell M. Lee, officiating.
Bob was a career military man, first enlisting in the US Marine Corps on January 6, 1959. While in the Marines, he served two tours in Vietnam, receiving two Purple Hearts for the battle wounds that he suffered and a Bronze Star with Valor. Bob was honorably discharged after 14 years in the US Marines, and returned to Massena where he joined the Company B, 479th Engineers Army Reserve. He served in the Army Reserve until his retirement on October 25, 1997 as a Platoon Sergeant.
Bob also worked for the General Services Administration at the US Border for over 20 years. While at GSA, he organized the Federal Employees of Northern New York to AFGE. He also worked Massena Savings and Loan as an all-around handyman. Bob not only had a commitment to his country, but also to his community. He, like his father and grandfather, was a proud member of the Massena Volunteer Fire Department since June 5, 1957. He served as fire chief in 1991 and 1992 and was honored with the 2008 Fireman of the Year Award. Bob was also a member of the St. Lawrence County Fire Chiefs Association, and the St. Lawrence County Fire Police.
In addition, he was a member of the New York State Fireman's Parade and Drill Team Captain's Association, where he was a state official and parade judge. He was a proud, decorated war veteran, who was a member of the Marine Corps League, where he served as the Deputy North Area Vice Commandant. He was also a member of the Gerald R. Roy Amvets Post 4, American Legion Post #79, and the Earl J. Santimaw VFW Post # 1143.
Bob was an avid antique car buff, being one of the founding members of the Massena Olde Car Club and enjoyed restoring his 1952 Ford Panel Truck. He also was an avid history buff, and enjoyed coffee and donuts with the guys at Patterson Auto Parts.
