SHAPLEIGH- Lawrence (Larry) Gordon Roberts, 93 of Shapleigh passed away October 26, 2026, with his family by his side.
He was born on July 15,1933, the son of Lester and Ertie (Turbin) Roberts. He grew up in "The Gore" of Alfred and when his father died when he was age 14, he went to help on the Gile farm in Alfred for $5/week plus room and board. This is where he learned his hard work ethic that served him well for the rest of his life.
When he graduated from high school in 1953, he enlisted in the Air Force taking basic training in New York and staying for two terms before returning home to Maine in 1961.
He loved to tell stories of his years in the Air Force. One story he told was when he was in Thule Greenland in 1957 where it was 48 degrees below zero and he was out working on aircraft engines because someone put the wrong oil in their plane and it froze up. Another thing he frequently shared was when he was stationed in Illinois and his first child was due to be born. He had some time off and decided to drive home to Maine even though he wasn't supposed to be more than 100 miles away from Base. He made it home to see his first daughter, Holly, born then hurried back to base. He also told of being sent to Tourane Indochina to service planes that the French borrowed for the war and being shot at trying to land and takeoff at the base.
When he returned from the service, he started his own business doing excavations, foundations and septic systems. He became very well known in the local home building network around southern Maine for his dedication, attention to detail and hard work. He also plowed roads for Alfred and Shapleigh in Southern Maine for many years.
He was always willing to help anyone out that he could from working on lawnmowers, mowing lawns, tilling gardens, plowing driveways or even just providing general knowledge on the best way to fix something. He could fix pretty much anything.
He loved to just go for rides and lots of times ending up at Cole Farms in Gray where he became well known to the staff there. He loved going out to eat and never missed a chance at a good bowl of ice cream or some fried seafood.
His favorite fall pastime was going to the fairs and watching the horse pulling. He would often see the same people at the fairs and form friendships with many of them that lasted for years. His favorites fairs were Cumberland and Fryeburg.
He is survived by his daughters Holly Roberts of Wells and Lisa Welch of Saco, his companion of more than 50 years, Lorene Nash of Shapleigh, niece Jennifer Ivey of Alfred, Grandchildren Sarah (Josh) Hebert, Tyler (Cassie) Brock, Deanna (Becky) Vigliotta, Heidi (Jim) Sherman, great-grandchildren Caleb, Jacob, Summer, Jocelyn, Maya, Aleea, Dylan, great-great grandchild Forrest.
He was predeceased by his parents,
brother Lester Roberts, sisters Harriet Hall, Janet O'Gara, Katherine Roberts, and daughter Jane Roberts.
A graveside service will be held for family and friends on November 20, 2026 at 11:00am, located at Evergreen Cemetery, Alfred, Maine.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, East Waterboro, www.mainefuneral.com
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