Robert Charles Cloutier

Robert Cloutier, an all-around good egg from the land of the good guys, died on October 2, 2025 at the age of 92, in Venice, Florida. He was born in Burlington, Vermont, to Yvonne (Rousseau) and “Sam” Hyacinthe Joseph Cloutier, and grew up there with his eleven siblings, and his life-long friend, Rosario Cannizzarro. Bob and his wife Patricia met in their teens, when he saw her walking with friends in Malletts Bay and cleverly asked her for directions, even though he was a native Vermonter and she was a visitor from the Bronx! They were married in 1957 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in NYC. In May they celebrated 68 years of married life together.

Bob graduated from Ecole Nazareth (St. Joseph’s) Elementary School (‘47) and Cathedral High School (‘51) in Burlington. His Catholic faith continued to be a touchstone throughout his life. An active member of St. Joseph’s Church, he was also a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He always liked to say he went to the school of hard knocks, but his clever ingenuity, mechanical know-how, careful planning, quiet generosity and quick-witted humor belied his humble assessment of what he accomplished in his life. 

As a member of the U.S Marine Corps, Bob served in the motor pool during the Korean War, achieving the rank of sergeant. After leaving the service he worked for a time at Pratt & Whitney in CT, rooming with his sister Edna. He returned to Vermont to join his father Sam in running Sam’s Service Station on Battery Street in Burlington, continuing as proprietor and head mechanic at the station for many years after Sam’s retirement. With his brother Maurice, Bob also managed rental properties, and remained true to the goal of providing people with a decent place to live at a reasonable price.  

After retiring from Sam’s Service Station, Bob worked at McCauliffe’s, repairing adding machines, typewriters, and printers. After his second retirement he and Pat began wintering in Venice, FL, where Bob volunteered at the library, helped to build sets for the local theater and homes with Habitat for Humanity, and served as the neighborhood handyman. For many years Bob and Pat spent summers at Pat’s Place in Malletts Bay, and later at their camp on Broadlake Road in Colchester, VT. They became full-time residents of Florida in 2018.

While their six children were still in school, Bob coached basketball at St. Joseph’s, mentoring his sons and many others for a number of years. As members of their children’s fan clubs, he and Pat attended countless baseball and basketball games, track meets and school events over the years. Together they enjoyed playing bridge, competitive even when the stakes were less than a dollar! Garage sailing and hosting garage sales were also shared passions for many years, and he was famous for the tool boxes he put together for family, friends and garage sale customers, as well as the zany outfits he would don for the occasion. 

With his sons Peter, William and James, sons-in-law Arsalan and Thanh, and grandson Jack, Bob travelled across the West, visiting a number of “must see” locations on his Bucket List. In later years, the Kansas City Chiefs and football Sundays became a source of enjoyment, along with many outings to concerts and meals with his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. During every visit, Bob greeted his children and their spouses – Linda, Arsi, Helen, Peter, Thanh, William and James, with a cheerful,“What brings you to the land of the good guys?” – too modest to assume he was the reason. To the very end of his life Bob was surrounded by those he loved most. 

Always willing to share sage advice or slip some cash to his kids (“Don’t tell your mother!”), or to lend a hand to those in need, Robert was also a devoted son and brother, ready to help his parents and siblings in many ways seen and unseen. He was predeceased by his parents, Yvonne and Sam, as well as nine of his eleven siblings and several of their spouses: Pauline Hamelin, Henry, George (Lorraine), Maurice, Alice (Nick Graban; Hal) Winegerter, Edna (Alan) Brown, Suzanne Dreyer, Claire (Robert) LaPlant, and Jim Walton. He was also predeceased by his sister-in-law Pauline Clancy.

Robert Cloutier is survived by his wife Patricia and their six children: Linda Cloutier-Namdar (Arsalan Namdar), Helen Plumley, Michael Cloutier, Peter Cloutier (Thanh Hutcheson), and William Cloutier, all of Florida, and James Cloutier (Lisa Levine) of Albany, NY; five grandchildren, Jonathan (Jesse) Namdar, Alexis (Thomas) Arnow, Andrew Plumley, Jack Cloutier and Eli Cloutier; and two great-grandchildren, Emery and Ella Arnow. He is survived by sisters Rita Walton and Helen (Peter) Rosenblum; in-laws Don Dreyer, Karen Cloutier; Pat’s brothers, Roger Clancy of NY and Vincent (Susan) Clancy of AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins on both sides of the family.

We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the professionals who supported Bob, and who could hardly believe he was so spritely into his 90s. We are especially grateful to Dr. Jeffrey Fraser and APRN Kelly Keller and their staff for their ongoing, excellent care; to the staff of the Windsor of Venice, who made Bob and Pat’s transition to assisted living so positive; and to the staff of Affinity Care Hospice, who provided sensitive, practical support in place for Robert and his family in his last weeks. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. To honor Bob’s life, please consider doing an act of kindness in his honor, and/or to make a memorial donation to a charity of your choosing.