Robert Earle Cleaves III

Robert Earle Cleaves III PORTLAND -- Robert Earle Cleaves III passed away Feb. 26, 2009, at Maine Medical Center after a brief illness. Bob was born in Portland on Dec. 21, 1931, the son of Robert Earle Cleaves Jr. and Mary Stearns Cleaves. Bob was a graduate of Hebron Academy, class of 1950 and Bowdoin College, class of 1954. He was introduced early to the lumber business, working summers grading and piling lumber for his father's lumber company, R.E. Cleaves & Son Co., lumber wholesalers. Upon graduation from college, he entered the business full time and became president upon the death of his father in 1966 and enjoyed a successful career for many years. He was a director of the Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association and the New England Lumbermens' Association. He was also a member of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association. During his career in the lumber industry, he owned the Stillwater Lumber Company in Stillwater, and a lumber distribution yard in Watertown, N.Y. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and was especially proud of his 50 years of membership in the Shrine. His greatest pleasure was ponsoring children who needed orthopedic care at the Shriner's Hospital and seeing the miraculous impact the hospital has on its young patients' lives. Robert Earle Cleaves III Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763 He enjoyed skiing and spending weekends at the family's lodge in Naples with his family, who were so important in his life. Music was a central part of his life. On the piano, he could play anything from Bach to Boogie Woogie. He would play the piano at any gathering. One of the highlights of his music career was performing at the Bohemian Grove in California. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen; and his three children and their spouses, Pamela Cleaves Devine of Phoenix, Md. and her husband John, Robert E. Cleaves IV and his wife Jane of South Portland, and Harry J. Cleaves and Jenna of Watertown, N.Y. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Jordan of Portland; and five grandchildren, Kimberly and Sarah Devine and Samuel, William and Henry Cleaves. He was predeceased by his sister Bernice Lovejoy, of Denver, Colo. There will be a celebration of life at Woodford's Church, Portland, at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 2. A reception will follow at the Portland Country Club. Arrangements are being handled by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Shriner's Hospital for Children 516 Carew St. Springfield, Massachusetts 01104