MILLINOCKET – Robert C. Boynton, 85, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 31, 2012, with his loving daughters by his side. He was born June 21, 1926, in Millinocket, the son of Harry and Nola (Sargent) Boynton.
Bob graduated from Stearns High School, class of 1944, where he was an exceptional three-sport athlete. After high school Bob was signed by legendary baseball scout Clyde Sukeforth in 1946 and played the 1947 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Hudson Valley League, where he learned the art of stealing home from the former Gas House Gang leader Pepper Martin. Thereafter he returned home to begin a 42-year career as a mechanical supervisor with Great Northern Paper. Bob’s baseball career continued with the semi-pro Emerson Pills for the next 15 years, where he earned his reputation as a fearless base stealer. In 1974 Bob and his wife, Fredericka “Teddy,” purchased Millinocket Lake Camps and established Big Moose Inn, where he continued to maintain the dream they shared into his later years of life. Bob was a skilled craftsman who renovated apartment houses, refinished furniture and helped his children build their homes, remaining active well into retirement. In 2003 Bob was inducted into Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, supporting claims that he was one of the best ballplayers to come out of Millinocket.
Bob is survived by daughters, Laurie Cormier and her husband, Tom, of Kingman and Angel Hibbs and her husband, Don, of Millinocket; son, Bruce Boynton and his wife, Lori, of Millinocket Lake; daughter-in-law, Jill Boynton of Millinocket, 11 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-stepgrandchild and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom he was lovingly known to as Papa II; his sister, Olive Pound of Augusta; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Fredericka A. Boynton; son, Robert Wayne Boynton; three sisters, Mildred Bears, Ella Bears and Geraldine Fraser; and three brothers, Dr. Harold Boynton Sr., Arnold Boynton Sr. and Dr. Richard Boynton. A special thank you to caregivers, Lisa, John, Julie, Heidi, Bobbi and Hope, for your love, care and support during the last year, and to Deb Kranich of Community Health and Counseling Service Hospice.
Friends are invited to a sharing of memories and celebration of his life to be held 1-3 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Big Moose Inn, Millinocket Lake. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Bob may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at
www.lamsonfh.com.