AUGUSTA – Jean M. “Duke” Dulac, 88, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Sept. 7, 2022.

Duke was born on June 4, 1934, in Lewiston, and was adopted and raised by Gertrude (Bowman) and Alfred Dulac.

He graduated from Hallowell High School in 1953, where he enthusiastically participated in many sports, and soon after began his barbering career at Dom’s Barbershop. He married the love of his life, Jeannine “Neno” Dumais, in 1957, and together they raised four daughters. In the days before Duke passed, he and Neno celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

In 1965, he opened Duke’s Rotary Barbershop on Memorial Circle in Augusta and established close relationships with his employees and customers, many becoming lifelong friends. He was so proud of his window box petunias, handing out his “recipe for success” to those who asked for it. Duke eagerly participated in many lively political discussions with those who sat in his barber chair. He became nationally known for his accuracy with his barber poll conducted each election season. His barbershop was a landmark on the westside rotary for over 45 years.

Duke’s proudest accomplishments included being a Mason, a Shriner with Kora Shriners in Lewiston, and he was a Past President of the Kennebec Valley Shrine Club. Duke sponsored many youth sports teams through the decades and attended countless athletic events that his grandchildren participated in. He was a recipient of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award and an award recipient of the Maine Sports Legends.

Duke was a proud man, with a big heart, and his family was a great source of pride for him. He was a giver his whole life and he taught us all the meaning of hard work and family devotion. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Duke is survived by his loving wife, Neno; daughters Barbara and Rocky Gaslin, Shari and Christopher Swain, Marsha and Andrew Swain, and Valerie and Ed Moran; seven grandchildren, including Ashley Gaslin, Devon and Jon Pcolar, Sarah and Jesse Rowe, Becca and Greg Fecteau, Brittany and Andrew Bellmore, Robert Swain, and Veronica Swain; and 12 great-grandchildren, including Ella, Monroe, Taylor, Sophia, Nolan, Hannah, Norah, Grant, Carly, Emma, Ethan, and Logan.

His family also includes half-siblings Robert (Maddie) Ouellette, Louise Stuart (Ray Pratt), and his deceased half-brothers Bertrand (Claudette), Richard (Helene), and Real; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dale Truland, from FMI, for his friendship and kindness through the years, as well as Brenda Matthys, RN, from hospice, for the time spent with our father.

Visitation will be at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. Services will be on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 12 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Manchester.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Shriners Children’s Hospital of New England

516 Carew St.

Springfield, MA 01104, or

St. Michael School

56 Sewall St.

Augusta, ME 04330

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