Robert Earl Dudley

Robert Dudley, of Middle Haddam, passed away peacefully the morning of February 26, 2025, after a long illness.

Bob was born March 30, 1952, in Meriden, CT where he lived most of his life. He was the son of Earl B. and Harriet Dudley of Meriden. Bob was an excellent student who had a particular aptitude for math. So much so that he considered a career as a math teacher. Eventually, Bob chose to pursue a career in sheet metal through his studies at Wilcox Tech, graduating in 1970. After his apprenticeship, he joined Local 40 and started his career. Bob’s career lasted until 2007, when he was able to retire as a foreman the day after his 55th birthday; a feat few could achieve today.

The same year he graduated, he met the love of his life and the woman who would be his partner for the next 52 years in Joette Benjamin of East Calais, VT. Marrying just shy of their 19th birthdays on March 13, 1971, they beat the odds and stayed together for the next 52 years, ending with Joette’s passing in 2023. Together, they raised two children, JoEllen and Jonathan, and set up their home in Meriden for nearly 30 years, until moving to Middle Haddam in 1999.

To say that Bob was an original is an understatement. Part Archie Bunker, part Frank Barone, part Aristotle; there was nobody like him. A champion of crosswords and other word puzzles, he had a formidable vocabulary. But pretension was not his way. He would make up silly songs on the fly, to the amusement of his family. Grace would say that Grandpa could “spit bars” as a freestyle rapper. His love of Ford Mustangs was legendary, and he would eventually own several of them, including a rare all-original 1965 that would dominate the local car show circuit for years.

He was stubborn and opinionated and could be a pain. Like most men of his generation, he had a hard time expressing his emotions, both happy and sad. But you always knew where you stood with him. You always knew he loved his family more than anything in the world and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t have done for them. This became more apparent when he became a grandfather to Rhiannon and Grace. His granddaughters were the light of his life and softened the harder edges of his personality. These girls brought out the best in him and his family and friends could see his pride and love of them both. He was able to spend the last year of his life living with his granddaughters, who doted on him and gave him energy, laughter, and a lot of love.

He is survived by his children, JoEllen Thrasher of Middle Haddam, CT (Steven), Jonathan Dudley of Portland, CT (Tracy), granddaughters Rhiannon Thrasher and Grace Thrasher of Middle Haddam, CT, siblings Grace Hallock (Bob) of Cheshire, CT, Caroline Garza-Fournier (Wayne) of Cape Canaveral, FL, and Bruce Dudley (Evelyn) of Sandwich, NH. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 52 years Joette Dudley.

Friends may call at the Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main St. East Hampton on Saturday March 8th from 10AM until 12 Noon. A funeral service will be held at Noon. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. To leave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.

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