SOUTH PORTLAND – Robert Richard Tracy, 78, died on his mother’s birthday Nov. 13, 2011, at Togus Military Hospice, Augusta. He was born June 14, 1933, in Portland, a son of Patrick Joseph and Catherine E. Earls Tracy.
He was educated at Holy Cross and Cheverus schools. During the Korean War, Robert served in the Navy. He, along with his brothers, John and William, were stationed together on the mine sweeper, Tumult. He was a devout Catholic and a lifelong communicant of Holy Cross Church. Robert worked for Humpty Dumpty for 40 years. He began as a route salesman and worked his way up to district manager. He estimated that he drove 2 1/2 million miles while with the company. He enjoyed investing in and following the stock market, and had an amazing memory for numbers. He also enjoyed watching and following college football, and was a lifetime loyal fan of Notre Dame and all Cheverus teams. One of his greatest pleasures was attending his grandchildren’s sports events. He always carried a baseball glove and a football in his car in case he ran into someone who might want to toss a ball. Robert was a devoted father and grandfather. He chose to live simply, but was very generous to others, always remembering special dates. He will be remembered as a kind, considerate and loyal man.
Surviving are two daughters, Deborah Tracy-Colby and her husband, Frank, of Lincolnville, and Donna M. Nale and her husband, Thomas, of Belgrade; son, Daniel T. Tracy of Scarborough; sister, Christine Mallory and her husband, Donald, of Scarborough; four brothers, the Rev. Philip Tracy, John Tracy and his wife, Olympia, William Tracy and his wife, Dolores, all of South Portland, and Bernard Tracy of Biddeford; five grandchildren, Thomas, Tracy and Jennifer Nale, and Danielle and Adam Tracy; two great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, where prayers will be recited 10:15 a.m. Thursday with a Mass of Christian burial beginning 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road. Interment will be after at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship at Cheverus has been established in his name. Contributions may be sent to Robert Tracy Scholarship Fund, 267 Ocean Ave., Portland, ME 04103. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at
www.ctcrawford.com.