DANVERS – Mr. Robert G. LaFleur, 86 of Danvers, loving husband of Sara LaFleur, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Beverly Hospital with his family by his side.

Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, Bob was the son of the late Roland and Mary LaFleur. Bob was rooted in Danvers, having traipsed the woods, creeks, and hills before development. He has shared many stories, but the one that made the local paper, was being with his father and brother on a fishing boat when a sudden squall set down. Roland told Bob to lay his body on the engine board to keep the waves from drowning out the engine. As the little skiff climbed and dropped over the threatening waves. Roland navigated the harbor, rescuing 18 people and towing several boats to safety.

An honorable discharged veteran, Bob proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. It also provided the serendipitous occasion to meet the love of his life, Cesarea Bustos, as she stepped off the bus in Austin, Texas. After 67 years of marriage, Sara's charm has won the hearts of many, and Bob says in Danvers he is now known as "Sara's husband."

Returning from the service, Bob prayed all night about what to do with his life. He started selling siding and windows, and soon went independent, as owner of Alliance Aluminum for 40+ years. Many a neighborhood in the area testifies to his work.

Bob's selling life allowed him to invest in his true treasures: his family and church. After selling during the day, the family ate together early, as Bob went back out to make evening calls. A homemade ice rink in their driveway each winter for the neighborhood is just one of the thousands of memories of a father integrally involved with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, 22 in total.

A faithful member of St. Mary's Parish in Danvers since birth, Bob has served as a lectern, altar server and funeral coordinator for decades. In addition, with Sara by his side, he has led Lectio Divina groups, CCD instructions, Pre Cana, and served the Lazarus House. For his multiple decades of ministry, Bob received the Catholic Cardinal's Cheverus award from the Archdiocese of Boston in 2015 and was still serving this past week. Everyone knew Bob would leave this world working.

A neighbor in grief commented this morning: "Who is going to bless me?" In neighborhoods Bob lived, he gathered disparate people together, whether by the yearly block parties on Central Avenue, or the barbecues and dinners on Burley Avenue. For 20 years he served the community working at the O'Donnell Funeral Home because he loved people.

Above all, when Sara was asked what we should remember about Bob, she instantly replied: "He was a man of character, faithful, utterly dependable, If he said he would do something, it was done." Truly, not only his multi-generational family, but his parish, neighborhood, and Danvers will miss the light and love of Jesus that Bob perpetually displayed.

In addition to his wife, Sara, Bob is survived by his children Yvonne, Chris, Dave and Terry, as well as seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Robert's funeral which will be held from O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Saturday, May 24th at 10 A.M. followed by his funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers at 11 A.M. You may also watch his funeral Mass live via TribuCast by clicking the link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a25054102530751 . His burial will be privately held. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 23rd from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Ministry, 90 Forest St., Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.