1924-2003

HARTFORD, CONN. – Alexander “Duke” Leon Duclos, 78, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.

Born at St. Narcisse, Quebec, Canada, Dec. 14, 1924, he moved to Berlin, N.H. as a child and graduated in 1942 from Berlin High School. He also received a degree in architecture from Prince Technical School.

He enlisted in the Army in April of 1943 and achieved the rank of corporal. While he was state side, he was a boxer for the Army until deployment during World War II, where he was wounded in the Huertgen Forest Battle and received a Purple Heart.

Before he retired back to Berlin, N.H., he was a member of the Franco-American War Veterans. In Berlin, N.H. he was an active member of the VFW Post 2025.

He moved to Hartford, Conn. in 1950 and established his own business building homes in the Hartford area. He then worked for Carabetta Brothers as a foreman for over 20 years. Although a very hard working man, his favorite sport was fresh water fishing. He enjoyed playing the harmonica for family and friends, was a championship cribbage player as well as an avid reader and mastered crossword puzzles.

He was president of the Hartford based snowshoe club, Le Laurel and was instrumental in bringing the nationwide convention to Hartford in 1965.

Survivors include: a daughter, Patricia Duclos Miller, her husband, Wayne and a son, Gerard Duclos and his wife, Ginger, both who loved him dearly; four grandsons, Matthew and Nathan Miller and Spencer and Dylan Duclos; three brothers, Jules, Rene and Normand Duclos; three sisters, Armelde Pitre, Doris Dube and Rita Pelletier; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Marie and brothers, Henri and Leo.