SOUTH BERWICK – Robert William Townsend, 61, formerly of South Berwick, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, after a stroke in September of 2012. He was born Nov. 6, 1951, in Rumford and was educated there, graduating from Rumford High School in 1970.
After graduation he entered the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power Program and served in the Navy for eight years. He then worked as a civilian nuclear engineer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 32 years. Robert had been a member of the Knights of Columbus in South Berwick. He enjoyed competitive dart playing, fishing and camping. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and woodworking.
He was predeceased by his father, Donald Andrew Townsend, in 1984, and by one brother, Donald “Erik” Townsend. Robert is survived by four daughters, Meghan Townsend of South Berwick, Shannon Fossett and her husband, Jack, of Old Orchard Beach, Caitlin Charette and her husband, Josh, of Hollis Center, Erin Townsend of Reston, Va.; a granddaughter, Annabelle Fossett of Old Orchard Beach; his mother, Jean Holt Belanger of Rumford; three brothers, Terry, John and James “Jack” Townsend; three sisters, Nancy Jean Johnson, Sally Theriault, Peggy Sue Townsend; many nieces and nephews; and his life-long friends and caregivers in his recent illness, Richard and Rosemary Malley of Gainesville, Fla.
There will be no visiting hours. A memorial mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 160 Agamenticus Road, South Berwick. Burial will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Springvale. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
Robert William Townsend
