Robert W. Desrosiers

Dr. Robert W. Desrosiers, 86, of Belmont Drive in Portsmouth died peacefully on Thursday, May 29 surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for his generous spirit and love for life and his family. Dr. Desrosiers and his beloved wife Alice T. Cadieux would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on May 31st. They made their home in Central Falls for 27 years before retiring to Middletown and later Portsmouth.Born December 23, 1921 in Woonsocket to Leo and Marie Gautreau Desrosiers, Dr. Desrosiers graduated from Assumption College and attended the Grand Seminary in Montreal for two years. After serving his country in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class on both the European and Pacific fronts, he went on to earn a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Montreal in 1953. Dr. Desrosiers established a practice of general dentistry in Pawtucket and Central Falls and loyally served his patients until his retirement in 1985. He also brought smiles to the students of Smithfield Public Schools as a school dentist for 32 years. Dr. Desrosiers also leaves his daughter, Elaine Desrosiers Hart, and her husband Brian of Newport, his son, Donald Desrosiers, and his partner Will Dewey of Jamestown. He joins his son, the late Robert Leo Desrosiers, who passed away in 2001, and leaves his daughter-in-law Eileen Desrosiers of Feeding Hill, MA. Dr. Desrosiers is also lovingly remembered by eight granddaughters, four great-grandsons, and two great-granddaughters. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 1 from 4:00-8:00pm at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 2 at 8:30am from the Connors Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be private. Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906, the American Cancer Society 931 Jefferson Blvd, Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886, or the St. Josephs Church Restoration Fund, Broadway and Mann Ave, Newport, RI 02840