GERALD D. ROBERTSON

BREWER – Longtime Brewer city councilman and mayor, Gerald Robertson, 90, passed away Dec. 29, 2008, at his home. He was born April 18, 1918, in Sullivan, son of Delmar and Sophronia Robertson. He graduated from Sullivan High School, Beal College, Whalton College of Accounting and attended the University of Maine. He was employed for 18 years by Eastern Fine Paper, Brewer, in purchasing and traffic. He was then employed as executive director of Bangor Housing Authority for 18 years, from which he retired in 1985. During his tenure he was a member of the Maine Association of Public Housing Directors. He then served as manager of General Electric Credit Union from 1985 to 2000. Mr. Robertson established a national record of service to the city of Brewer and the state. He served for 47 years on Brewer City Council, which included 20 years serving as mayor of Brewer. He also served as a state legislator in the 103rd session, being recognized as one of three outstanding legislators in that session. He played a key role in organizing Brewer Housing Authority, while promoting affordable housing for elderly and needy families. The housing authority has named a section of its complex in his honor. In 1995 Mr. Robertson received the prestigious Ethel M. Kelly Memorial Award given by the Maine Municipal Association for dedicated service to local and state government. He was the first city councilman to ever receive this award. The main road in Brewer Industrial Park was designated Robertson Boulevard in his honor. He just recently was honored by Brewer Economic Development Corp. and the city of Brewer, who together created a $2,000.00 scholarship in his honor, that will be presented annually to a Brewer High School graduate who shows a keen interest in going into public service or government. Mr. Robertson served the community and state in many additional capacities through the years. He was a member of Brewer Planning Board, Brewer Economic Development Cooperation, Brewer Housing Authority; as chairman of Brewer Comprehensive Planning Committee and also a member of Brewer Land Use and Zoning Oversight Committee. On the county and state level, he served as president of Penobscot Valley Regional Planning Committee and as chairman of Penobscot Valley Refuse Disposal District. He was also a member of Governor King’s committee on physical fitness and sports. He was especially proud of his participation in the Senior Olympics, during which he won 87 Gold Medals in a diversity of events during his years of competition. Mr. Robertson has been a very active member of AARP through the years, as member of the State Legislative Committee, State Coordinator of the AARP VOTE and a member of the AARP State Executive Committee, and as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1995. He also served for 25 years as president of the Eastern Agency on Aging. He was awarded the Andrus Award, a national award for outstanding service as a volunteer leader. Mr. Robertson served as a cooperator of Eastern Maine Medical Association and was a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee. He was also a member of Brewer Historical Society. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Brewer for more than 60 years, where he served in many capacities, including Lay Leader. Mr. Robertson is survived by a son, Gary Robertson and his wife, Grace, of Bangor; a daughter, Cynthia Shirek of Bangor; two grandsons, Kenneth Shirek and his wife, Michelle, of Leander, Texas, and Dennis Reynolds and his wife, Jill, of Brewer; and one granddaughter, Deborah Stevens and her husband, Kimberly, of Brewer. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Cameron and David Shirek, of Leander, Texas, and Courtney Reynolds of Brewer; and two nieces, Janice Wilbur of Franklin and Judith Oliver of Waterville. Also surviving is a dear friend, Marilyn Sproul. Mr. Robertson was predeceased by the mother of his children, Marion Robertson of Brewer; a sister, Nina Clark of Franklin; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Brann of Brewer. Friends may call 2-5 p.m. Sunday Jan. 4, 2009, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at First United Methodist Church of Brewer with the Rev. Dr. George Curtis III officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Gerry in a special way may make gifts in his memory to First United Methodist Church of Brewer Memorial Fund, 40 South Main St., Brewer, ME 04412. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.