Robert Dumas

Robert S. Dumas (Bobby) passed away peacefully in Westbury, New York on November 12, 2022 surrounded by his family.
 
Born in Gibraltar on February 18, 1932 to Eleuteria and Agustin Dumas, Bobby was the younger brother of Lionel (Louie). As a teenager, Bobby and his family came to New York to live the American Dream. One night while at a party, young Bobby met the future love of his life, Dinorah (Nori), and they had their first date at Coney Island. Seven long years later, Bobby and Nori married on June 30, 1956, enjoying 66 beautiful years together, living in New York (Manhattan and Brentwood) and Arizona (Fountain Hills and Arizona).

Bobby and Nori built a life together filled with love, laughter, and travel. They have five wonderful children: Cynthia Doyle (Andrew) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Robert Dumas (Donna) of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania; Peter Dumas of Destin, Florida; Michael Dumas (Victoria) of Massapequa, New York; and Michelle Spindell (Bryan) of Westbury, New York. Additionally, they are blessed to have eight amazing grandchildren: Danielle, Kristi, Peter, Keri, Deric, Jessica, Arianna, and Alexandra. They also have eight great grandchildren who affectionately gave Bobby the nickname of Bobcat: Riley, Emma, Audrey, Nate, Avery, Grayson, Kevin, and Ava. Bobby and Nori also have many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A devout Catholic, Bobby lived a life full of service and music. He was very kind and caring, always willing to help anyone in need. Serving in the army for two years, Bobby was a patriot who truly loved his country. He would often be seen wearing patriotic shirts and in the last few years, a variety of “Make America Great Again” hats. He also dedicated much of his life to causes close to his heart such as the VFW and even helped commission a WWII statue in Fountain Hills, Arizona. 

Bobby had a love of soccer and a passion for coaching, serving as a role model for many of his former players. For a few years, Bobby was also a school bus driver who would sing songs with the kindergarten students and they were called the Yellow Canaries. The Yellow Canaries performed on television and Bobby got his 15 minutes of fame so he was ready to go to Hollywood. Bobby always found creative ways to make a dollar, recruiting his family to help with holding flea markets outside of his Brentwood home and driving an ice cream truck around the neighborhood.

Most importantly, Bobby was the family entertainer and that is how he will be remembered. He was the man behind the video camera, the piano man, and the man who made us all laugh and sing. Music was his passion, whether it was the greats such as Al Jolsen, Dean Martin, or Al Martino, he was always singing and making music. Bobby’s musical talents included playing the piano, harmonica, accordion, and making instruments with his voice and hands.

Bobby has joined his parents, brother and nephew, along with many dear extended family members, in heaven. His life and spirit will be remembered and celebrated by his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Although Bobby is already so deeply missed, he will always be admired for being helpful, happy, caring, musical, and funny. Goodbye, our Coney Island baby.

A viewing will be held at Donohue Cecere Funeral Directors in Westbury, New York from 5pm-9pm on Thursday, November 17, 2022. The funeral mass will be on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 9:45am at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Westbury, New York, following the interment at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, New York. Since Bobby was very involved with the VFW and committed to our veterans, donations can be made in his memory at https://www.vfw.org/