Robert ‘Bob’ Emery Letendre
Robert ‘Bob’ Emery Letendre died at the home of his daughter in Saratoga Springs, New York on December 21, 2018 of complications from injuries sustained as a passenger in a one-vehicle crash near Aguascalientes in April 2015.
Born March 7, 1937 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Emery and Cecil (Paige) Letendre, he was one of five children. Letendre served in the U.S. Air Force as a jet engine mechanic from 1954 to 1958, attaining the rank of Technical Sargent. A retired union electrician, he was a proud member of the IBEW Local 166, where his son also worked.
After retirement, Letendre was an antiques dealer who specialized in vintage clothing, linens and antique lighting fixtures, which he would expertly rewire and refurbish.
He was a master at odd jobs, building and repairing things for his family. These were affectionately known as “Uncle Bob Jobs.”
Letendre once volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, where his construction skills were put to good use and he made lifelong friends. He sometimes accompanied his daughter to peace rallies and marched with Veterans for Peace in local parades.
As the last surviving son and uncle, Letendre was the family patriarch. He saw this role as his sacred duty and took it very seriously. He was happiest when he was with his family, especially with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he treasured.
Letendre wintered in Mexico for the last 15 years and had a profound love for the country, its people, and customs. He had many friends in Guadalajara and at Lakeside who considered him family.
Letendre was the head chef at the American Society of Jalisco’s Thanksgiving Day meal for about four years before he moved to Lakeside, first living in Ajijic and later in Jocotepec. He was known for helping people out with any handyman problems they had – “a true tradesman,” said one friend. He was also known to bake delicious pies.
Letendre is survived by daughter Linda LeTendre (Volney LaRowe) of Saratoga Springs, New York; son Thomas Letendre (Darlene) of Charlton, New York; granddaughter Nicole Carrero (Dominick) and their daughter Ella and son Carson, and granddaughter Marissa Wilbur (Michael) and their son Beckett, all of Lexington, South Carolina. He is also survived by his cherished nieces and nephews, Donald, Laura, Steven, and Kathleen Letendre, Lisa and Matthew Brown, Michael, Kathleen, Lynn, and Daniel Grimes.
A memorial is being planed for April 13 in Saratoga Springs. Another memorial at the American Society of Jalisco is tentatively scheduled for March, at a date to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 373 U.S. Route 9 Moreau, NY 12828-2462 or Veterans for Peace c/o Daniel Wilcox, 280 S. Main Street, Albany, NY 12208.