MELROSE — David J. “Dave” Bluette, 79, a longtime Melrose resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Tufts Medical Center on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Dave was born in Boston on Oct. 23, 1935 and was the son of the late David J. and Alice (Coyne) Bluette. Raised on Beacon Hill in Boston, Dave graduated from Boston English School. He met Pauline P. Riopel, who was working as a hairdresser on Beacon Hill, and they married on May 30, 1966. Dave and Pauline lived in Medford for several years, before settling in Melrose to raise two sons. Dave was a proud United States Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a dedicated family man who loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Dave’s working career spanned over 40 years in shipping and receiving. He began working for the Filene’s shipping and receiving department in Downtown Crossing, then moved to the distribution center in Natick, and finally to Filene’s in the North Shore Mall. Dave finished his working career closer to home at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Melrose.
An avid sports fan, Dave coached Melrose Little League baseball for many years and found great joy in the many teams he coached. He enjoyed watching and attending Celtics, Bruins and Patriots games and he especially treasured memories of watching the Patriots play at Fenway Park with his wife Pauline. In his free time, Dave enjoyed candlepin bowling, playing tennis at Bellevue where he was a member and skiing at Waterville Valley with his family. He especially loved working in the yard, tending to his vegetable garden and found comfort in simple pleasures like cutting the lawn or growing eggplants. Dave loved his dogs, an American Eskimo “Lacy” and his West Highland terrier, “McDuff.”
A gentleman, Dave was kind, considerate, good natured and honest. He regularly looked for ways to help others by doing small things for his family, friends and neighbors. Above all else, Dave’s devotion to his family remained steadfast and his memory will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.
Dave was the beloved husband of the late Pauline P. (Riopel) Bluette, with whom he shared nearly 47 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Michael D. Bluette and his wife Nicole of Saugus and Matthew A. Bluette of Melrose. He was the dear brother in law of Albert L. Riopel of Melrose. He was the cherished grandfather of Christopher M. Bluette and Megan N. Bluette, both of Saugus. He was the loving uncle of Becky Riopel of Seattle, Washington.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Dave’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Feb. 5, and again on Friday at 10 a.m. before leaving in procession to the Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St., Melrose, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will take place in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
