Thomas Robert Parenteau, who called himself Robert (and also was known as Bobby, Bob, Rob, Robes and many other goofy family names), was born March 21, 1965, in Milwaukee, WI. Robert passed away on October 22, 2015, in Madison, WI.
He was the son of Anne Vincens Duffy and Thomas Anthony Parenteau (deceased). He is survived by his stepfather Phillip Duffy; sister Anne Brigitte Parenteau of Minneapolis; brothers Thomas William Parenteau (Amy) of Madison and Daniel Noe Parenteau (Stacy) of Waunakee, half brothers Eric Joseph Bur (Amanda) of Kansas City, and Joseph Christian Parenteau of Minnetonka and his mother Amy Welch Parenteau, step-sisters Katy (Patrick) Haney and Jeanne (Ryan) Gillard; nieces and nephews Griffin, Mason and Isabel Bur and their mother, Molly Bur; Anna and Muriel Kay and their father, Chris Kay; Isabella and Annie Parenteau; and Nolan and Logan Capek. He also is survived by his aunts Suzanne Allison (John), Deborah Culley, Jeanne Vincens, Amy (Steve) Kopald, Jeannine Dwyer, godmother Mary Ziebarth and Ruthann Clay, and his uncles, godfather Richard Vincens (Becky) and Noe Parenteau.
His cousins are Jack (Chris), Paul (Laura), and Jim (Rita) Ziebarth, Jane (Brian) Getschmann, Ann (Bill) Baseman, Barbara (Scott) Macpherson, Jeanne (Skip) Hanson, Michelle (Chris) Stevens, Noellen (Jackson) Parenteau, Renee (Ray) Parenteau, Kateri (Steve) Rein, Chris Allison, Lilly (Xerxes) Steirer, Jeannette (Gaby Velasquez) Allison, Adam (Maggie) Vincens, Jason (Caitlin) Vincens, Cindy Culley, Ryan (Cindy) Culley, Greg (Ingrid) Culley, Patrick Culley, Elizabeth Marshall, Sarah (Carlos) Montes, Luke (Courtney) Wetmore, William (Jaclyn) Wetmore, and Don Clay.
Robert was born and raised in Shorewood, WI, graduated from Shorewood High School and attended MATC and UW-Milwaukee. He worked for many years as a bartender in Milwaukee and Madison before moving to Richmond, VA, where he worked for Virginia Commonwealth University as a grounds keeper. When he returned to Wisconsin he continued to work in landscape maintenance and was a tour guide at the state capitol. He also faithfully manicured the lawns of several customers in Maple Bluff. He was an incredibly hard worker, pushing himself to finish on time and with great attention to detail. Robert took great pride in his work; he loved his customers and they loved him.
Robert loved the time he spent at Yahara House in Madison. As a member, he thoroughly enjoyed working in the Catfish Cafe preparing meals for his fellow members. He loved to tease his coworkers and staff members and could take their teasing as well.
At his core, Robert was a gentle, playful man who loved animals and children. He had many pets throughout his life and they gave him great comfort and entertainment. Playing cards and board games with his nieces and nephews gave Robert great happiness. He spent many hours each summer helping his mother plant her garden, prune shrubbery, create and spread compost and mulch countless flowerbeds. Robert was beloved by many and his kindness and infectious laugh will be dearly missed.
Robert's family wish to thank the nurses, nursing assistants and doctors at UW Hospital, Oak Park Place, and in particular Sue Dillon for their kindness in caring for Robert during the last weeks of his life.
A service will be held Thursday, November 12, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Ryan Funeral Home—2418 North Sherman Avenue | Madison, WI.