Duane Arthur Broga Jr., 47, passed away Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield after a brief illness.
Duane was born May 5, 1971, in Pittsfield and raised in Becket. Duane attended Pittsfield and Taconic high schools and was a proud graduate of Wahconah High School. Duane was a current resident at St. Joseph’s Court in North Adams.
Over the years Duane enjoyed working at many places including Grossman’s, Burger King and Hilltop Orchards, to name a few. Growing up, Duane was a boy scout of Becket Troop 26. As a child, some of Duane’s greatest memories were playing with his many cousins at his grandmother’s house. Duane loved to roller skate, watch the truck pulls at local country fairs, ride the B bus, play pool, watch wrestling, attend car shows, ride motorcycles, go to Friendly’s with his family, help his father DJ, and spend time with his in-laws and his wife, Jessica. He loved to make steaks cooked in red wine for guests, and to snack on Twizzlers. An animal lover, he adored the family pets he had over the years including his parents’ dogs, Snoopy and Freeway; his in-laws’ dogs who he referred to as his furry brothers-in-law, Jessie and Mookie; his cats, Sabrina and Tinsel; and his birds, Lily and Joseph. Duane attended mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Dalton.
One of the friendliest people you would ever meet and always willing to lend a helping hand, Duane was an innocent soul and had a heart of gold. He valued the connections he made and acquired friends everywhere he went. He always made a point to learn your name and to say hello. Duane truly was one of a kind.
Duane will be missed by his family, which includes his beloved wife, Jessica, who was undoubtedly the love of his life. It was no secret that getting married was Duane’s greatest dream and that his happiest day was the day that he married her: Sept. 18, 2010. Duane adored his in-laws, Jeffrey and Eva Horton, and spent a great deal of time with them. Duane also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of his family who will deeply grieve his passing. His aunts included Linda Lefebvre, Armine Cooper, Diane Theriault, Sandra Mills and his godmother, Donna A. Broga Carnevale, who he affectionately referred to as “The Warden.” His uncles included Thomas J. Lefebvre, Homer R. Lefebvre also known as Bud, Richard Cooper and Ferdinando Carnevale. He was predeceased by uncles Albert Theriault and Harold Mills.
Duane was also predeceased by his parents, Kathleen M. Lefebvre Broga and Duane Arthur Broga, who passed away in 2013 and 2016 respectively. Duane was proud to be named after his father and preferred that over his familial nickname of “Duaner.” Duane missed his parents very much and it is a great comfort to his family to know that he will be with them on the other side. Duane was also predeceased by his much-loved maternal grandparents, Homer and Susan Hartman Lefebvre; and his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Kate Broga.
There will be an upcoming memorial service at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Dalton for Duane. Kelly Funeral Home in Lee is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses.