LUBEC – Robert Bryce Reynolds Jr. was called home to be with his Lord Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. He was born June 14, 1942, in Portland, the first child of Bryce and Rowena (Towers) Reynolds. Brain-injured during birth, Bobby was placed in the arms of his wonderful parents, who would love him, protect him and care for him for more than six decades. On Tuesday morning he entered the loving, protective and caring presence of Jesus for all eternity.
Bobby never attended school or read a book, never spoke a whole sentence, never dressed himself or fixed lunch. He couldn’t tie his shoes or tell time or drive a car. He didn’t have a job and never wrote a check. But the impact of his life is amazing. He loved the Lord, loved his church, loved the outdoors and loved people. A gentle giant and an excellent judge of character, if he liked you he would lean down and offer his cheek for a kiss. His smile was broad and genuine, his laughter was contagious and his handshake could bring a grown man to his knees. When the weather and Mum allowed it, he stood at the end of his driveway and watched cars going by, Lubec’s one-man welcoming committee – the “Mayor of the Ridge.” He lived with grace and joy. Bobby is now free to be everything he was meant to be. He can think clearly and can share his thoughts. He is talking with his dear dad, who died in 2007, and with many other loved ones who predeceased him.
He leaves behind his sweet mum; and his siblings and their families, whose lives have been blessed monumentally by him, Vicki and Jim Schad of Vassalboro, Judi and Jeff Sicko of North Carolina and Howard and Diane Reynolds of Georgia. He also leaves two aunts, several cousins, a number of nephews and nieces, and a multitude of friends and neighbors. Bobby’s wonderful caregivers during the last five years have included Kay Morrison, Carrie Stanhope, Sandra Oldson and personnel at Oceanview Nursing Home and hospitals in Machias and Bangor. The Green family – Pastor Rob and Vonnie and their children, Sharon, David, Gary and Saundra – have given him loving, joyful and superb care in his own home since October 2007. We will never stop missing our Bobby. Our hearts ache with the loss of him. But we know that because of God’s grace we will see him again, with no more goodbyes.
A service celebrating Bobby and his new life will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Ridge Baptist Church, County Road, Lubec, with a viewing 1 p.m. Arrangements are in care of McClure Family Funeral Services, Machias and Lubec.