Fernand R. Duval, 89, of Storrs, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 6, 2018 unexpectedly after a short illness. Married 70 years, beloved husband of Rita (St. Onge) Duval, he was born October 27, 1928 in Manchester, NH, son of Adrien and Florida (Tanguay) Duval. Fern was a master of his trade and enjoyed a fulsome career in construction contributing to some of our regions more notable establishments including Foxwoods Hotel and Casino. He retired as VP of Operations from a local construction company at the age of 70 at which time he enjoyed traveling throughout the country by RV with Rita. In his early years, he dedicated his time to his community as President of Eagleville Fire Dept. Ever voicing the quote “I put my pants on one leg at a time just like the other guy”, he never shied away from tackling any job or project and could fix just about anything with a little pondering and elbow grease. Fern’s favorite past time was spending time with family particularly his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoying boating on Lake George and golfing in the summer, great fireside chats in the mountains of Vermont in winter and was an avid reader. He will forever be remembered as the patriarch of the annual family reunion known as “Yogi Bear Weekend”. Besides his loving wife Rita, he is survived by his son Richard and wife Sandy, daughter Kathy and husband Lenny Gerardi, daughter Eileen and husband Terry Bongiovanni, daughter Denise and husband Stephen Tucker, and son Dan and wife Pam. Loving Pepere “Pep” to 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Also survived by his siblings Therese Leonaitis, Jacquelin Alves, Margie Gosselin, and Norm Duval and wife Irene as well as many nephews, nieces and life long friends. Predeceased by brothers Andre, Lucien and Philippe and sister Claire Sallis. Relatives and friends may join the family on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 6-8 PM at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road (Rt. 195), Tolland, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 12, 2018 at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT. Burial will be held at a later date. For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fernand R. Duval, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
