Gene A. (Pete) Dutchess, 86, passed away on May 23, 2025

Gene A. (Pete) Dutchess, 86, formerly of Milford, CT, passed away on May 23, 2025. Born on March 20, 1939, in Tipton Township, IN, he was the son of the late Owen M. and Anna (Cunningham) Dutchess and was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters.

Pete attended Tipton Township High School, where he excelled in Track and Basketball. His teen years were straight out of his favorite movie, Hoosiers, with him as the star player. When he was not practicing free throws, he was milking cows and slopping pigs. After chores, he was chasing girls, a perfect pastime for a young man who was “salt lick to women.”

Following graduation, Pete served in the United States Army, proudly following his much older brothers who wrote him faithfully, relating their experiences during World War 2. His service brought him to Milford, CT, where he was assigned to the Nike Ajax Missile site.

Post-service, Pete worked at Swan Engraving, Bridgeport, for 36 years. Pete’s athleticism continued into his adult years. He was a fixture in the Milford Recreation Dept, playing basketball, softball, and volleyball. He played golf and tennis and was skilled at them all. The Milford Citizen once called him Mr. Recreation; if they had not, he would have given himself that title anyway. He coached boys' basketball for many years and delighted in seeing his players make their high school teams. He also played softball at the Milford Elks Club, where he was a proud lifelong member.

Pete is survived by his loving daughters, Alison (Chris) Del Vecchio, Sandy (Tom) Bremer, and Bobbi (Bob) Dunne. He loved his role as Pop-Pop to his grandchildren, Christopher (Paeton) Del Vecchio, Stephanie (Josh) Hradil, Samantha (Sean) Phillips, Shelby (Mike) Mazzabufi, and Erin Dunne. His Great-Grandchildren, Harrison, Harper, Sheridan, and Connor, were the icing on his Grandparent cake. He was adored and will be missed by his many, many nieces and nephews. Pete also leaves his loving companion, Becky Chaffee, former wife and mother of his children, Alannah Dutchess, his special Sister-In-Law Sue Dutchess, and according to him, a string of broken hearts.

Pete left friends of all ages; teammates, coworkers, friends of his daughters who loved and admired him, and more recently, devoted caretakers. Everyone he has ever met has a Pete story. One friend described him as “always approachable and a source of some old town manners mixed with some old school fun.”

Pete loved to sing and hum and knew many standards, country songs, and particularly loved Christmas carols. He also had a catalogue of racy songs and poems that delighted his grandchildren. Just a few key words could prompt a recitation and a laugh.

We hope Pete has arrived in his version of heaven and is enjoying a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon while watching sports in a comfy chair, with cucumbers growing next to a fresh split woodpile outside his window and his favorite dog Abby leaning against his knee.

Friends and family may call from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 BROAD ST., MILFORD, CT. Military Honors will be held at 12 p.m.

To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com