BUXTON- Robert David Gorham was born on April 24, 1943 in Saco, Maine to James R Gorham and Dorothy A (Smith) Gorham. His first few years were spent on the Simpson Rd in Salmon Falls in the house his father built and on the Farm with his cousins Lucy and Austin(Bum). His father was recalled to the army and Bob became an army brat. He traveled and lived all around the US and Germany . These included postings to Michigan, Germany, Washington, back to Maine while his father was in Greenland, back to Washington, Texas, then back to Germany. In Germany he graduated from Munich American High School and then joined the Coast Guard. His first station sent him to Kodiak , Alaska where was at sea onboard the Storris when the 1964 earthquake hit demolishing Kodiak and the Coast Guard station. After serving there he was sent to S. Portland and served on the Cowslip. From there he went to Rockland and the Swivel, and he attained the rank of Boatswains Mate 2nd class. After leaving the Coast Guard in 1967 he began working at Arundel Cabinet Works. He enjoyed working with his stepfather Chet making built in bookshelves for his mothers many cookbooks and mementos from their travels. On December 7, 1968 he married Cheryl P. Eaton of West Buxton. They settled into their home on Long Plains Rd and had their two sons Murray and Michael. Bob enjoyed his large vegetable garden, cats, dogs, goats and donkeys especially Eyore. In 1982 he joined the Buxton Fire Department Chicopee Station , retiring as a lieutenant after 39 years of service. He left Arundel Cabinet Works to work at Sabre Yachts doing the interior finish work. After that he worked at Maine Rubber until retiring. After retiring he and Cheryl bought a camper and travelled to the west coast to visit his brother Ted(Jimbug) Davis his wife LLoydeen and his nieces Lynsta, Trinalyn and Katrina. Bob and Cheryl moved to a second home in Millinocket and eventually a camp in Oxbow where he met Glen and Anne Kleinfelter who were the owners of The Homestead Inn. He did odd jobs for them from finishing apartments to washing dishes, pumping gas for the snowmobilers and running for supplies in Presque Isle. He became involved with the local fire departments in Ashland and Masardis and Dirigo Search and Rescue. He would do the little but important jobs that needed to be done but no none wanted to do. He would direct traffic, get coffee, snacks, and clean up after the job was done. He was helping cousin Nick(Stuart Nichols) finish Nicks’ camp. He installed V-match pine walls built pine doors and even installed a spiral staircase using come- a-longs and block and tackles. When back in Buxton he would always visit the Farm and helped with the haying every year. He especially enjoyed having a coffee watching over the hayfields. Bob was predeceased by his parents James R .and Dorothy A. Gorham, stepfather Chesney E. Twombly, brother Theodore Davis, brother Stephen M. Gorham. He leaves behind a son Murray E. Gorham of Patten, son Michael J. Gorham of Buxton, sister Anne E. Gorham of Lyman.
For family and friends Lucy Gorham invites you to stop by the Farm prior to the service 3:30 to 4:30.
The Farm is located at 143 Joy Valley Rd Buxton ,Maine
Visiting hours will be held on Friday evening April 29 from 5 - 7 PM at the Buxton Fire Department's Bar Mills Station, Portland Rd., Buxton. Firefighter honors and Last Alarm will be held at 7 PM.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com