Robert J. Dunfey Sr.

Co-Founder, Omni-Dunfey Hotels International and Peace-Builder, Northern Ireland Robert John ‘Bob’ Dunfey, Sr. of Portsmouth, NH and formerly of Cape Elizabeth, ME, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, surrounded by loving family including his devoted wife, Jeanette Marston Dunfey who tirelessly cared for him during his long and valiant struggle against Parkinson’s Disease. Bob was born February 9, 1928 in Lowell, MA, the seventh of twelve children of Catherine and LeRoy Dunfey. He was educated at St. Patrick’s School and Keith Academy, both in Lowell. He is survived by former wife Shirley (Corey) Dunfey, and five children: Robert Dunfey, Jr. Cape Elizabeth, ME; Roy and Karen Dunfey, Portland, ME; Eileen Dunfey and Michael Pulsifer, Cape Elizabeth, ME; Brian Dunfey, South Berwick, ME; Maryanne Dunfey, North Conway, NH; 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 4 of his 11 siblings: Jack and his wife Lisa of Boston; Eileen Robinson of Bradenton, FL; Jerry and his wife Nadine Hack of Lutry, Switzerland; Eleanor Dunfey and her husband Jim Freiburger of Exeter, NH; many dear cousins in Ballyferriter, Co.Kerry, Ireland; and his wife Jeanette’s devoted Marston family. He was pre-deceased by his parents Catherine and LeRoy and 7 Dunfey siblings: Roy, Paul, Catherine, ‘Kay,’ Mary, William ‘Bud,’ and Richard, ‘Dick,’ and Walter. Rarely in the 88 years of Bob Dunfey’s life was he in or did he seek the limelight, but a look behind the scenes in meetings, conversations, and telephone calls would reveal Bob’s signature contributions. The seventh child in a family of 12 knew from the beginning that his life would be that of bridge builder, connector, supporter of worthy causes. Too young to enlist in WWII with his older brothers, he became the indispensable “right hand” for his father and role model for his younger siblings by doing the often thankless hard work— behind the counter in the family’s luncheonette and variety store in Lowell, MA’s ‘ACRE,’ the home of so many first generation Irish and other immigrants. To this day, his closest friend and partner, brother Jack, credits Bob’s energy and hard work as the distinct factor that grew the family business from one small business to fried clam stands at Hampton Beach then on to restaurants, motels and hotels throughout New England, an evolution which led to the purchase of Boston’s famous Parker House in 1968 and later became Omni Hotels International. Bob’s work in the business community had a significant impact on the Maine economy. In 1966 Bob successfully led the controversial campaign to allow restaurants, lounges and hotels to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday which was prohibited by law. Another major contribution was the development of the Maine Mall. During Bobby Kennedy’s 1968 campaign for President, Bobby would personally call Bob each Sunday to hear how the campaign was going in Maine. In 1980, on behalf of Maine Governor Brennan, Bob asked Federal Judge George Mitchell to fill the senate seat of Edmund Muskie, newly appointed Secretary of State by President Carter. Mitchell accepted. As an active father he helped raise his family in Cape Elizabeth. His favorite places were Prout's Neck walking the beach and the bird walk, boating around Casco Bay and riding his bike along the New England Coast. In 1965, he built a ski chalet in North Conway where his family and grandchildren spent winter weekends skiing Cranmore Mountain and snowmobiling, He also arranged many family ski trips to Vail at Thanksgiving. But his pride and joy was the house he had built in Ballyferriter, Ireland with the most amazing view of ocean and cliffs. His purpose was to have new generations of family reconnect with Irish relatives. His school master and archeologist cousin, Denis O’Connor helped Bob select the perfect Irish name: Feorann: “edge of the sea, a verdant bank on a mountainside...” Over 35 years, Bob expanded that word’s meaning to include: a bit of heaven to be shared with all! He generously opened his Irish home to family, countless friends—even friends of friends. He introduced Senators George Mitchell, Ted Kennedy, Patrick Leahy, and Chris Dodd to the expansive beauty and warm hospitality of the Dingle Peninsula. Bob believed as every Kerryman does, that there are only two kingdoms: The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Kerry; “One is of this world and one is out of this world!” Robert J. ‘Bob’ Dunfey, Sr. was a trustee of the University of Maine System; a director of the American Ireland Funds; founder and honorary director of the Susan L. Curtis Foundation, which operates a 50-acre summer camp for Maine’s underprivileged children. Bob was a founding director of the Maine Community Foundation. Bob served on the Spurwink Board of Trustees for 14 years, and was honored as the inaugural Humanitarian of the Year in 1987. He was founding treasurer and director of New England Circle/Global Citizens Circle, a 40-year old non-profit forum that brings leaders and activists together for civil dialogue on critical issues that lead to constructive change in our local and global communities. Bob worked tirelessly to support initiatives in Northern Ireland and cultural preservation projects in the South of Ireland. For his extraordinary efforts over 40 years on the Isle of Ireland, he was honored with several major awards by all the Parties to the Peace Process as a trusted behind the scenes partner for all who were interested in moving beyond “The Troubles.” He was an advisor for the White House Conference for Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. He participated with Sen. George Mitchell, President Clinton’s Special Envoy for Economic Initiatives for Northern Ireland, on the Senator’s first tour of Belfast, Derry, and Border Towns. Bob and his brother, Jack Dunfey, traveled to Oslo with John Hume and David Trimble and their families when the two Northern Ireland leaders were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. Perhaps it is in the reflections of others that we see the worth of a life well lived. Julia Brown, Bob’s granddaughter, offers such a reflection and two dear friends warmly affirm her tribute: “Our Papa leaves an amazing legacy as a humanitarian and activist. He touched so many lives and made such a memorable impact in this world. He will be immensely missed by his loving family and wide circle of friends.” One of those dear and longtime friends, Jackie Redpath, Belfast Shankill Community Centre, who worked so closely alongside Bob, shares that sentiment: “Bob was a 'great man'. In Ireland, in Belfast, on the Shankill & Falls, he straddled 'both sides' & both extremes and I am forever grateful for his, and your family's, bringing 'loyalism/unionism' in from the cold and giving us a seat 'at the top table' in the United States. People are alive today, who would not otherwise be, on account of this. Bob was strong, sincere, determined, wise, sensitive and great damn fun. He was very kind to me and I will miss him. It was his beloved Maine, however, that Bob served first and foremost, and the Susan Curtis Foundation expresses best, all that Bob Dunfey means to them: “It may comfort you to know that this summer, nearly 500 youth learned about themselves and who they can be, while developing the character, skills and life lessons they need to reach their dreams. Over 16,000 youth have had that same experience since Camp Susan Curtis opened its doors in 1974. None of this would have happened without Bob. He lives on in the thousands of Maine youth (and former Maine youth – now adults!) who are succeeding and thriving in part because they mattered at Camp Susan Curtis. He will forever be a part of us and we will miss him.” A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 100 Chapel Street, Portsmouth, NH at 11 A.M. Saturday, September 10, 2016. Honoring Bob’s wish, his ashes will be interred in the family’s ancestral grave in Ballyferriter, Ireland alongside his sister, Mary; brother, Walter; and nephew, Philip, at a time convenient to the family. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, friends consider a contribution in Bob’s memory to the Susan Curtis Foundation 1321 Washington Ave # 104, Portland, ME 04103 or to a cause of one’s choice. TO: ALL WHO PLAN TO ATTEND BOB'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE AT ST. JOHN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 101 CHAPEL ST, PORTSMOUTH ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 11AM, WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CARPOOL OR, IF YOU DRIVE TO ARRIVE EARLY. WHILE THERE WILL BE PARKING AVAILABLE IN THE PARISH LOTS, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO FILL TO CAPACITY QUICKLY. THANK YOU Please click the link below to read a story on Mr. Dunfey published Monday in Northern Ireland's Belfast Telegraph.. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/bob-dunfey-an-unsung-american-hero-of-northern-irelands-journey-to-reconciliation-35002185.html

Robert J. Dunfey Sr.

February 9, 1928 - August 23, 2016