Clarence J. Dupree, “Duke”, died peacefully on Saturday, June 3rd at the Viera Health & Rehab Center after a short stay at Holmes Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife, Sally of 44 years.

Duke was born in Woonsocket, RI. on November 18, 1924 to Philias and Exiana Dupree. The family moved to Mount Vernon, NY. in 1929 where he attended local schools. He enlisted in the US Army at 18 and fought in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Returning home, he worked for the NY Telephone company while also working part-time with his parents at Duke’s Valet Tailor and Cleaning. Duke retired after 24 years as District Representative of NY Telephone and founded Sonitrol Security Systems along with his son, David, who managed the business when Clarence and Sally moved to Melbourne in 1991.

His later years in Florida were spent building his residence on Parkway Drive, enjoying time with family and friends and traveling.

Duke was a weekly member of the Senior Center on Wickham Rd. where he recently joined the Honor Flight to Washington, DC. There, he was surprised by two of his nephews, Michael Le Blanc, Missouri and Theodore Le Blanc, Maryland as a “thank you” for his service.

Clarence was as only son, along with six sisters; Sylvia Carroll, Stella Kennedy and Helen Dorsey (deceased), and Murielle Potsdam, Stuart Florida; Mrs. Roger (Gertrude) Kennedy, Vero Beach and Jeanne Claire Le Blanc & Ted, Melbourne. He will certainly be missed at family gatherings for the entertaining stories & just “always being there”.

He also leaves his son, David and wife, Lynda of North Salem, NY; two grandchildren, Scott Dupree and Alison Dupree and four great-grandchildren, twins Noelle & Kathryn and Avery & Hailey.

Nieces & Nephews Edward & Donna Carroll, Melbourne, FL, Richard & Gail Carroll, Scottsdale, AZ, Robert & Jan Carroll, Poughkeepsie, NY; Linda & Michael Barker, Tampa, FL, Bill Kennedy, Danbury, CT, Paul & Lynn Kennedy, Philadelphia, PA; Michelle McCrain, Stuart, FL. and Patricia Begley, Stuart, FL., Stephen McCrain, Austin, TX. and Patricia Begley, Stuart, FL; Brian & Margaret Kennedy, Jacksonville, FL., Karen Duborick, North Haledon, NJ., Michael & Lisa Kennedy, Clarsborough, NJ., Michelle & Gary Petruzzielo and Kathleen Kennedy, Hillsdale, NY., Joanne & John Prescott, Hobe Sound, FL., Cynthia & Robert Mills, Dover, NH., Michael & Marggie Le Blanc, Columbia, MS., Theodore & Carol Le Blanc, Dowell, MD., Russell & Jan Le Blanc, Scituate, MA.

A funeral mass will be held at Ascension Catholic Church, 2950 N Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935 on Friday, June 9 at 11:30am. Immediately following the mass, a scattering of cremains will take place at the memorial garden on the church property.

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