Robert "Bob" Strickland

WINTHROP -- Robert "Bob" Strickland, 82, died Monday, March 29, 2010, after a lengthy illness.

He was born Jan. 9, 1928, in Portland, the son of James and May (Gillespie) Strickland Sr.

Bob grew up in Augusta and graduated from Cony High School. He served in the Army, spending most of his time in Japan at the end of World War II.

He worked for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in the 1980s. After his retirement, he worked for the state of Maine and parttime for Downeast Pharmacy.

He met Margaret Irvine, the love of his life, on a blind date and they were married in 1954. They then adopted their two children, Judy and John, making their family complete. In 2004, they celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Bob was very much a people person and enjoying spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed volunteering and music.

He was a very active member of United Methodist Church of Winthrop and the Men's Club. He was also a member of Winthrop Rotary and Bethlehem Lodge 35 A.F. & A.M. in Augusta, and volunteered for the Winthrop Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels.

He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret; his sister, Mary Birch; and his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Strickland.

He is survived by his daughter, Judy (Strickland) Grimm, of Winthrop; his son, John Strickland, of Monmouth; his brother, James Strickland and his wife, Peggy, of Orlando, Fla.; his brother-in-law, Sam Birch, of Coopers Mills; two sisters-in-law, Carol Adams and her husband, William, of Bangor, and Martha Irvine, of Portland; and four grandchildren, Ian Strickland, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Josh Jones, of New London, Conn., Kristyn Moreau, of Fort Polk, La., and Kyle Strickland, of Bath.

A memorial celebration of Bob's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at Winthrop United Methodist Church, Main Street, Winthrop, with the Rev. Sharon G. W. Jones officiating. Burial will be in Kents Hill Cemetery, Kents Hill.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Camp Mechuwana, P.O. Box 277, Winthrop, ME 04364; or the Winthrop Food Pantry, 15 High St., Winthrop, ME 04364.

Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneral homes.com