KEITH BLAINE ROBERTS

BELFAST – Keith Blaine Roberts, 83, passed away Oct. 14, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. He was born July 8, 1925, in Brooks, a son of Walter and Essie Roberts. He graduated from Morse Memorial High School, Class of 1943. Soon after his graduation, he joined the Navy and served on the USS Franklin in the South Pacific. The ship was hit twice by the Japanese; the second time was March 19, 1945, and 832 of the 3,000 men were killed. As a result, he spent time in the hospital at Pearl Harbor, but was able to rejoin the ship when it returned under its own power to New York City. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal. On Oct. 21, 1949, he married Faith Thorndike of Winterport. He went to Industrial Training Institute, Chicago. He then made his home in Bangor working for Hinks Coal Co. His two daughters, Kathi and Karen were born while in Bangor. The family moved to Belfast in 1959, where he went to work for Frost and Wilkins. Keith later worked as director of maintenance at Waldo County General Hospital for 10 years and was then self-employed until October 2007 as a master plumber, electrician and heating specialist. He never refused a call no matter what day or time it was. Keith belonged to Belfast Lodge and was master twice. He served as treasurer for many years and was on the board of directors of Masonic Temple Association, Belfast, serving as clerk and treasurer and spending many hours helping to plan and build the new Masonic temple on Wight Street. He was also a member of Anah Temple Shrine and the local Waldo County Shrine Club. Keith is survived by his wife of 59 years, Faith; daughters, Kathi Cross of Bangor and Karen Roberts of Belfast; two grandsons, Jason Cross of Portland and Kevin Cross of Arizona; two sisters, Laurene Wright and husband, Rocky, of Swanville, and Joan Splittorff of Auburn; brothers, Linwood of Auburn, Neil of Florida and Sherman of Orient; uncles, Ludolph Webber of Sidney and Richard Webber of Swanville; many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Michael Wood; his best friend, John Boynton and the Boynton family; and the family dog, Luke. A special thanks to all the doctors, nurses and respiratory personnel at Waldo County General Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center who took such great care of him for the past year. A Masonic service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Masonic Temple, 17 Wight St., Belfast, with a time of fellowship after in the Masonic dining room. Committal services will be held noon Oct. 24 at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Masonic Temple Association, care of Mark Weaver, 101 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915. Arrangements are under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.