By Ron P. Coderre

St. Mary of the Visitation Church was filled to capacity as the community of Putnam said good bye to Robert “Bob” Trudeau, a man who was best described as a gentle person and a gentleman.  Trudeau died on Saturday, November 28 following months of failing health.

Bob Trudeau the quarterback for the Putnam Clippers of the late coach Jim Greenhalgh in the mid-‘50s is remembered as the man who threw “the pass” that stands out in Putnam football history to receiver Tracy Heavens.  “The pass,” late in the fourth period gave Putnam a 7-6 win over a favored Killingly team in the 1955 Thanksgiving Day game.  

Trudeau, who in his later years was noted for his shock of white hair, was a 1956 graduate of Putnam High School where he was one of the most outstanding athletes of his era.  Affectionately known in his high school days as “Tubes” he was a member of some Clipper teams that are still talked about to this day.

As a football player Trudeau was the quarterback and tri-captain of one of coach Jim Greehhalgh’s most talented squads.  Although No. 7 wasn’t known for his skill in one particular area, Trudeau had an accurate arm, could run the football when necessary and had a savvy feel for the game.  Among his accomplishments, he was a member of the first Clipper basketball team, at the time, since the 1929 team that went all the way to the State championship game, where it lost to a talented New Canaan team.  He also played baseball and ran track.

As a person and business man Trudeau was a loyal individual.  When he was the owner of Trudeau Hardware and Floor Covering, a business he took over from his parents, Dan and Dorothy, he was one of Putnam’s most respected independent business operators.  He was always willing to go a little extra for his customers.

Trudeau married his high school sweetheart, the former Phyllis Defocy.  Theirs was a picture book romance.  Together they had six boys, Kevin, Michael, Jon, Dean and Daryn.  He was predeceased by his son Robbie.

In later life, Trudeau enjoyed hitting the local links with friends, especially his evenings in the Elks Golf League.  He was always ready with a sincere hello and an interest in the lives of his many friends.

Although his days as an athlete were never a thing he boasted about, his name will always be remembered when people gather and talk about great Clipper teams.  But most of all when local people reminisce, Bob Trudeau will always be remembered as a “good guy.”