ROBINSON SPEIRS

BANGOR – Robinson “Robby” Speirs, 84, passed away peacefully May 25, 2009, surrounded by his family at his home, with his loving wife, Elizabeth, at his side. He was born April 24, 1925, in Bangor, the son of Garrett D. and Prudence (Robinson) Speirs. Robby grew up in the Howard Street neighborhood, and was a lifetime member of the Howard St. Hornets. He attended Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, graduating from Bangor High School, Class of 1943, as its class president. Robby was inducted into the Army immediately after high school graduation, serving in both the European and Pacific theaters of operations with the 343 Infantry Regiment. He was discharged a staff sergeant in 1947 with a Combat Infantry Badge. He enrolled at the University of Maine in 1946 under the GI Bill. In 1947, during spring break, he and Elizabeth Harvey Higgins were married. He graduated with honors from the University of Maine in 1949 with a degree in engineering physics and membership in the Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi. In 1949, Robby joined his father and brother in the operation of Bacon & Robinson Co., serving as its president and treasurer from 1960 until his retirement. He was lifelong member of All Souls Church and served as trustee, deacon and moderator and Sunday school teacher as well as on many of its boards and committees. Robby was an Eagle Scout and received the Order of the Arrow. He served 10 years as scoutmaster of Troop 12 Bangor and taught a large appreciative group of young men lifetime skills. He also served on Katahdin Area Council as a board member and president and he received the Silver Beaver Award. Robby was active in local, civic and community affairs serving as a member of Bangor Jaycees, City Club, Rotary Club and Bangor Mechanic Association. He was president and campaign chairman of United Way of Penobscot Valley and a board member of Bangor Zoning Board of Appeals, Bangor Water District, Phillips-Strickland House, Bangor Fuel Society, Katahdin Council Inc. and Salvation Army. Robby was a trustee of Bangor Public Library and Mount Hope Cemetery Corp. He served a term on Bangor City Council and was a director of Northeast Bank. He was an incorporator and supporter of Eastern Maine Medical Center and longtime secretary of Penobscot Associates. In later years he was active in Habitat for Humanity and the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen. Robby was devoted to his large family and used his special skills for numerous projects throughout the years to support their growing families. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth H. “Betty” Speirs of Bangor; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robinson Speirs Jr. and wife, Susan, of Cumberland, and Donald H. Speirs and wife, Deborah, of Bangor; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary S. and Jonathan D. Price of Bangor, Nancy S. and Jon F. Dawson of Bangor, and Julie Anne S. and Robert A. MacMannis of Calais; 14 grandchildren, Robinson Speirs lll of South Portland, David Speirs and wife, Jen, of Cumberland, John Speirs of Bar Harbor, Susan E. Stephenson and husband, Andy, of Bangor, Julie A. Williams and husband, Brian, of Bangor, Katherine E. Dawson of Bangor, Robert MacMannis Jr. and wife, Kristin, of Middletown, R.I., Katherine E. Mathews and husband, Jeff, of Fort Meyers, Fla., Thomas A. MacMannis of Calais and his fiancee, Gina Luchini, Donald Speirs Jr. and wife, Jen, of Leesburg, Va., Justin R. Speirs and wife, Jen, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Seth R. Speirs and wife, Carina, of Charlotte, N.C., Deborah M. Speirs and Jesse Speirs of Bangor; six great-grandchildren, Robinson Edward “Teddy” Stephenson, Daicey Elizabeth Speirs, Sophie Marie Speirs, Donald H. Speirs III “Trey,” Justin Robinson Speirs Jr. and Ryan Lee Speirs; sisters-in-law, Julie Reeves and Margaret Carlisle Speirs of Bangor; brothers-in-law, Leon F. Higgins and wife, Audrey, of Bangor, Donald Higgins of Brewer and William Higgins and wife, Erika, of Holden, Mass., and Howard Virgin of New Smyrna Beach, Fla; 34 very special nieces and nephews, Lori, Paul, John, Julie and Lizzie Tokarowski, Forrest, Robinson and Gabrielle Reeves, Marianna and Ana Reeves and Liz Burroughs, Murphy Reeves, Lisa, Bill, Will and Sarah Mitchell, William Higgins Jr. and Meaghan Higgins, Ann and Josh Virgin, Garrett D. Speirs, Julie, Bill, Moira, Will and Sarah Brett, Stephen Speirs, Laura and Wayne Stellar, Jenny, Mike and Ellee Robichaud, Travis and Kevin Barry; and two cousins, Jean Speirs Muller of Charlotte, N.C., and Pamela Best of Portland, Ore. He was predeceased by his parents, Garrett and Prudence Speirs; a brother, Garrett D. Speirs Jr.; twin sister, Prudence Virgin; David Higgins, Glen Higgins, Barbara Stevens; and his mother-in-law and father-and-law, Donald and Marian Higgins. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, at All Souls Congregational Church with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, and the Rev. Renee U. Garrett, master of divinity minister of Christian Nurture, officiating. A reception will be immediately after the service in the church vestry. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Robby in a special way may make gifts in his memory to All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401; Habitat for Humanity, 231 Main Road, Holden, ME 04429; Phillips-Strickland House, 21 Boyd St., Bangor, ME 04401; or Bangor Area Visiting Nurses, 885 Union St., Suite 220, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.