In Memory of Lt. Col. (Ret) Duane H. Roberts

December 10, 1940 - December 12, 2021

Resided in Clinton, NY



Obituary

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Lt. Col. (Ret) Duane H. Roberts died December 12, 2021, at his home.

Duane was born December 10, 1940, in South Trenton, son of the late Robert and Beatrice Duell Roberts. Duane served in the US Marine Corp and then in the US Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He graduated with a B.S. in Nursing from SUNY I.T., and became a Registered Nurse.

He married Jacqueline Dutcher December 22, 1962, in Utica. Jacqueline, the love of his life, predeceased Duane on August 19, 2016.

Duane was employed with the Utica Psychiatric Center as an RN, and worked briefly with the Oneida County Correctional Facility in his retirement. He was an active leader in the Public Employees Federation Union for many years.

He was a member of Moriah-Olivet Presbyterian Church and more recently had been affiliated with Stone Presbyterian Church in Clinton. He was a lifelong member of the St. David’s Society. Duane was proud of his Welsh heritage and attended the Gymanfa Ganu both locally and nationally. Duane was also a member of the Marine Corps League, and the New Hartford American Legion Post # 1376. In 2002 he carried the Olympic Torch in Syracuse, an honor he was selected for because of his affiliation with the reettlement of the Sudanese refugees in Central New York.

Duane enjoyed camping, was an avid NY Rangers fan, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and was a lover of animals.

He is survived by his children, Lorrie (Stephen) Paul of Earlville, NY, Ronald (Lynn) Roberts of Yorkville and Amy Roberts of Providence, RI; his grandchildren, Dr. Jamie (Nicholas Sr. ) Gallo, Sarah (Jacob) Marchitell, Nathaniel (Rachel) Paul,and Corey Roberts; great-grandchildren Isaac, Caleb, and Harlow Marchitell, Nicholas Jr. and Ronan Gallo. He is also survived by his two sisters, Gerry Klossner and Joyce Pfleiger, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Dot, Dawn, and Sandy, as well as his brother Rob.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of Brookdale, along with Sharon Meyer, for all of their outstanding care and friendship during Duane’s residence at Brookdale Independdent living.

Calling hours are on Friday from 11-1 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremations Services, 13 Oxford Rd. New Hartford, NY. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM. Interment with military honors will take place at Prospect Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. David’s Society Scholarship Fund, 3 Woodstock Court, New Hartford, NY 13413, or the Veterans Outreach Center, 726 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13502.