×

Robert F. Daunais

Robert F. (Bob) Daunais, 86, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away after a short illness on Oct. 28, 2021.

Born in Saranac Lake, he was the son of Russell and Mary Daunais.

Bob was a graduate of Saranac Lake High School and Clarkson College of Technology.

Although he’d known her in high school, it was at college that he started dating the love of his life, Mary McGowan. They were married in July 1957. Together they had a beautiful life, saw the world, played a lot of golf, and had four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Bob was Mary’s devoted caregiver through her battle with Alzheimer’s and she knew and loved him through her passing in 2014.

Bob had a lifelong love of sports, both playing and watching. He was a great basketball, baseball and softball player, as well as an avid golfer. He passed on his love of sports to his children and grandchildren and was often found discussing the latest results with his brother Bill or one of his kids or his grandkids.

Bob graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson. He was a highly respected leader at Firmenich where he rose to the position of president over his 30-plus years of service.

Bob is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Bill and Kathy Daunais; children Pete (Patti), Paula Daunais Kelly, Tom (Danda), and Susan (Dave) Handelman; grandchildren Jessica Handelman, Robert (Helene) Handelman, John (Ginny Stanford) Daunais, Bridget (Colin Jackson) Daunais, Michael Daunais, Andrew Daunais, Ryan Daunais and Hailey Daunais; and great grandchildren Harper and Ollie.

A funeral Mass and burial will take place in his hometown of Saranac Lake in the spring of 2022.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.