Louis Arthur Dube, 79, of West Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by quiet kindness, steady devotion, and a deep love for his family.
Born on October 22, 1946, in Hartford, CT, Lou was the son of the late Louis Nelson Dube and Nathalie (Tremblay) Dube. He grew up in West Hartford and graduated from Hall High School in 1964. He went on to attend Central Connecticut State University, where he played football and earned a degree in education – setting the foundation for a lifelong passion for teaching.
In 1970, Lou began teaching life sciences at Simsbury Middle School – and middle school was the perfect placement for him because he had this natural ability to connect with kids at a time in their lives when they needed it. For 36 years, he showed up not just as a teacher, but as a steady, encouraging presence for generations of students who were lucky enough to pass through his classroom. He truly loved teaching, loved the kids, and to this day, his family is often approached by prior students who remember him as the funny and kind Mr. Dube.
1970 turned out to be a big year for Lou because it was also when he married the love of his life, Cheryl Ann (Corcoran) Dube, beginning a partnership that would span decades and serve as the foundation of his family. That year he also proudly joined the National Guard as a medic and eventually achieved the rank of Master Sergeant (E8). His service was a source of immense pride throughout his life.
Summers found Lou lifeguarding at Beachland Park pool, and later, working security at St. Joseph’s College, where he could often be seen riding his bike across campus, always ready with a wave or a conversation. He was easy to talk to, quick to smile, and never passed up the chance to share a laugh, or a well-timed dad joke.
Lou was a man of simple pleasures and deep joys. He was a devoted Red Sox fan, an avid lover of dogs and cats, and happiest when camping, kayaking, cooking, or spending time with his family at Hawks Nest Beach. Some of the clearest memories of Lou are the quiet ones: sitting by an outdoor fire, listening to a ballgame on an old antenna radio, completely content. Lou’s life was not defined by grand gestures, but by the consistency of his presence. He found joy in routines, in familiar places, and in the people around him.
A familiar and beloved figure in his neighborhood, he enjoyed walks along Penn Drive to Morley School, often stopping to chat with neighbors and share a laugh with children along the way.
Above all, he was devoted to his family – a cheerleader for his children and grandchildren, always ready to share a quick brag about how awesome his kids or grandkids were. He could often be found in attendance at his kids’ soccer and lacrosse games, and later, his grandkids’ baseball and hockey games, always proudly observant from the sidelines.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl; his three sons, Jeremy Dube (Shannon), Michael Dube (Alexis), and Philip Dube (Jennifer); and his six cherished grandchildren, Lillian, William, Owen, Xander, Grayson, and Jaxon. He is also survived by his sister, Nathalie Flynn (Richard), and was predeceased by his sister, Judith Dube.
In addition to his immediate family, Lou leaves behind a large extended family who loved him dearly, including Holly, Jennifer, Gregory Langos (Lisa), Madisyn, Caleb, and Logan Langos of Ohio; Lizabeth LaVigne (L. Kelly), Emma, and Jack of Simsbury; and Scott Corcoran of Simsbury.
Lou will be remembered for his quiet kindness, his unwavering support for those he loved, and the countless lives he touched as a teacher, mentor, neighbor and friend. His presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
Visiting hours will be Saturday, May 2, at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a military burial at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford.