Robert R. Powell

PALERMO -- Robert R. Powell, a short term resident of Palermo and a resident of Augusta for more than 50 years, took his final breath at 2:05 a.m. Sunday, June 12, 2011, at the home of Lisa and Calvin Lewis, North Palermo Road, Palermo.

He was born April 20, 1917, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the youngest of five children born to Frank and Rachel Piasetzsky. His name at birth was Reuven Piasetzsky.

At the age of 12, in 1929, the year of the Great Crash, he held down two paper routes and was earning $18 weekly compared to his elder brother Max, born 1909, who earned $20 weekly through his full time job.

He graduated high school in Mount Vernon, N.Y., at the age of 15. Deemed too young for a four-year collegiate program, he was sent to Alfred Tech in Alfred, N.Y., for a year of milking cows and maturing. Upon his return to the Big Apple and prior to obtaining a master's degree from Columbia University, he enrolled and graduated from New York University in the Heights.

He was denied access to medical school because of his religious beliefs. With a certificate in history, he was offered a teaching position in nearby Connecticut, at $50 a month, plus room and board. The young entrepreneur had already established a successful route peddling radio parts to radio repairmen in Manhattan and the Bronx, N.Y. Capable of earning more than $50 a day, he turned down the teaching post and never looked back.

He introduced both his older brother, Max and his older sister, Ida to the radio parts business. After initially working together, the brothers changed their name from Piasetzsky to Powell and went their separate ways in business.

Robert R., also known as Bob, did not serve in the military during World War II. Shortly after the war, he met Mildred Broad of the Bronx, and became betrothed to her within a few short months. Bob convinced Mildred to give up her career as a biochemist to work alongside him in what became known as Powell Radio Supply. He brought their first and only son, born at the Mount Vernon General Hospital, home to an apartment on West 179th Street in the Bronx where they resided until 1954. He was a devoted father, and his second child, Rachelle Elaine, now of Sante Fe, N.M., was born May 27, 1954.

Fearful of the possibility of an atomic bomb falling on New York City toward the end of the Korean War, in August of 1954, he moved the family business to Water Street in Hallowell. While residing at 6 Southern Ave., Augusta, he lost an older sister, Anna Piasetzsky, to cancer. Later that year, he moved Powell Radio Supply to 337 Water St., Augusta, and the family residence to 1 Woodlawn St., also in Augusta, next to Temple Beth El. Up until Sunday, he was the oldest surviving member of his congregation there. Bob was more than just an active member of B'nai B'rith and other social organizations at the synagogue. When there was no paid rabbi, because of his orthodox training and his most pleasant singing voice, he was frequently called upon to lead services. When an outside rabbi was hired for the High Holidays, he was still often given the honor of saying the blessings after the Torah reading parchas. He was also active for many years with the Unitarian Church, Augusta, introducing many to the rituals contained in the Passover Sedar.

Bob is survived by his two children, Allen Ray Powell and Rachelle Elaine Woods. He is also survived by his dearest beloved companion of the last 36 years, Katherine Lewis, aka Kay.

He was also blessed by son Allen Ray with four grandsons, Adam, Robin, Seth and Joey; and one granddaughter Karly Alexandra.

A gathering was held at the gravesite whereby anyone who wanted to, had the opportunity to share about their own personal interactions with Bob. Mr. Powell had been living at the home of Calvin and Lisa Lewis, Palermo, since early December. Lewis family matriarch Katherine aka Kay was represented by her five surviving children, Carlton Lewis, Brenda Lewis, Patty Chauvin, Calvin Lewis and Debbie Lewis.

Gaye Lewis, still part of the family, represented Kay's oldest son, Bobby, now deceased. Many of her 26 grandchildren and many additional great-grandchildren were also in attendance.

We returned to the South China Legion Hall, site of a breakfast before the memorial that included bagels, lox, cream cheese, coffee, chai, herb tea and orange juice.

A gourmet macrobiotic dinner was lovingly prepared by Sharlene, John and Sarah Botarri, that included salmon fillets, brown rice, kale, rutabaga, a super salad, a medley of steamed vegetables, whole grain bread and butter, and vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate almonds for dessert. Red or white wine or water were the beverages of choice. DJ Jason Everett provided light jazz during the repast followed by tunes from the late 60's, as we danced the afternoon away in celebration of Bob's unique contributions to so many. The festivities concluded with a round of karaoke featuring Kay's daughter, Brenda Lewis.

Yesterday, shortly after noon, Bob was interred at the Chadwick Cemetery, South China, with Rabbi Susan Carvutto presiding, with funeral arrangements provided by Darrell Cooper of the Portland Chevra Kadisha.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob Powell's honor can be made to Temple Beth El, 3 Woodlawn St., Augusta, ME 04330.