ROBERT L. PAINE

PORTLAND – Robert L. Paine, 86, resident of Portland peacefully pass-ed away Aug. 2, 2004, at a local Portland nursing home. He was born April 21, 1918, in New York, N.Y., the son of Elmer Bradford and Abby (Alden) Paine. He grew up in Cranston, R.I. He graduated from Cranston High School and attended Bridgton Academy in Bridgton. He also attended Bates College in Lewiston until he was drafted into the Army during World War II. Following the war he returned to Rhode Island. He found himself to be a mentor, father, brother and uncle to his nephew, Fredrick Burton. The two of them shared many happy, wonderful memories. Mr. Paine completed his college education at Bryant College in Providence, R.I. It was through Mr. Burton that Mr. Paine met his future wife, Deborah Coggeshall. She had been Mr. Burton’s babysitter. Robert and Deborah were married Oct. 9, 1947. She passed away after 49 years of marriage Dec. 23, 1996. Remaining physically and mentally strong were very important to Robert, who was an All-New England track star in his youth. He was always telling his children and grandchildren the importance of physical well being. He was an avid reader and had an interest in history that he passed on to those in his family. During his professional career, Mr. Paine worked for New York Life, Pillsbury and Stickney & Poor Spice Company. It was with Stickney & Poor that he came back to Maine in the Mid 1950’s. He eventually became vice president of Northern New England for the company. He later was employed by Waltham Chemical until his retirement. He was a member of Woodfords Congregational Church for close to 50 years. He served as a Sunday School teacher and at the time of his death was a deacon for the church. He is survived by three children; Jean Koster and her husband Roy of Portland, Richard and his wife, Jamie Reynolds of Wells, and Mark and his wife, Dianna Paine of Castine; eight grandchildren; Jacob, Timothy, Ethan and Johanna Koster, Morgan Paine, Ian, Jillian and Taylor Paine; his nephew, Frederick and his wife, Lauren Burton, of Frederick, Md. and their three children. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Woodfords Church in Portland. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurse Service, 15 Industrial Park Road, Saco, ME 04072 or to Woodfords Congregational Church, 202 Woodford Street, Portland, ME 04103 in Mr. Paine’s memory.