Robert Van Deusen

SHEFFIELD, MA. -Robert J. VanDeusen

Robert VanDeusen, 85, passed away at his home on November 27, 2017.

Born in Gt. Barrington on August 15, 1932, he was the son of the late Harry E. and Myrtle Mansir VanDeusen.

Mr. VanDeusen enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War.  He served as a yeoman and was stationed at the naval air station in Memphis, TN and then aboard an LST in Japan and Korean. He earned the National Defense Ribbon, the Korean Service Ribbon, the United Nations Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.  He was honorably discharged in 1954.

While in Tennessee, he met and subsequently married his wife of 65 years Dorris Ayers of Millington, TN.

Robert was a forty-nine year member of the American Legion Post#340, a nine year member of the Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee, a member of the Sheffield Planning Board and past president of the original Sheffield Businessmen’s Association.  He was a licensed contractor and real estate broker in MA., CT. & NY for forty-five years.  He was also a member of the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and a member of the United Church of New Marlboro.

Besides his wife Dorris, Robert is survived by his four sons; Carl and his wife Arlene and Dale all of Sheffield, Barry and his wife Brenda of Canaan, CT. and Mark and his wife Beth of California, MD., as well as his twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild.  He also leaves his two sisters; Mildred Smith of Plainville, CT. and Phyllis Hackett of Escondido, CA. and one brother David of Sheffield.  He was predeceased by two sisters and two brothers.

Robert’s family would like to give a special thanks to Paulett Pontier,  Berkshire County Home Care and HospiceCare in the Berkshires for their wonderful care.

At Robert’s request, all arrangements were private, which were made by Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Gt. Barrington, MA.  Memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires through the funeral home.