Frederic Thomas Duray, 80, of Sandy Hook, died December 14 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he graduated from Manual Training High School and the Delahanty Institute School of Drafting.

His loving wife, Lucille Leahey Duray; his stepchildren and their spouses, Deirdra and Dana Preis of Easton, Virgil Jr and Joanne Procaccini of Newtown, Francis Procaccini of Torrington, Declan and Lisa Procaccini of Sandy Hook, and Damon Procaccini of Bridgeport; his sister, Barbara Morrill of New York; his daughter, Michelle Bocan of Pennsylvania; and nine grandchildren survive him.

Mr Duray enjoyed several years in the US Air Force where he traveled the world. He worked at Trans-Lux Corporation in Norwalk, spending 37 years as a mechanical designer and assistant vice president of engineering until his retirement in 2000. In later years, Mr Duray was a big fan of the Newtown High School baseball team, and he enjoyed driving the players to their games as their bus driver.

Mr Duray will be remembered as a kind and easy-going guy who always had a smile on his face. He especially loved spending time with his wife - playing cards, bowling, and taking trips to the casino. Mr Duray was the "go-to" guy whenever anybody needed something fixed; he had a tool for everything. He was an avid golfer and bowler and a regular at the Newtown Dunkin' Donuts. More than anything, Mr Duray took great pride in his family, rejoicing in attending countless concerts, plays, athletic events, martial arts classes, and horseback riding lessons.

He will be deeply missed by his loving family; they would like to send a special thank you to the nurses and doctors in the Cardiac ICU at Yale New Haven Hospital who cared for him over the last month.

The family will receive callers from 4 to 8 pm on Saturday, December 16, and Sunday, December 17, at 65 Cedar Hill Road, Easton.

Burial will be private.