Photo courtesy of Hobbs Funeral Home - South Portland
Jul 28, 1928 - Apr 8, 2019 (Age 90)
Our family misses Bob and our father Andy Fraser. I have great memories of the Christmas Tree Inn and Bob. My condolences to the BaRoss clan.
Bruce Fraser
April 05, 2022
Uncle Bob epitomized a beloved family patriarch. Together with his younger brothers Tom and John Sr. (my Dad), the branches of the BaRoss family experienced almost half a century of role model care and oversight as Uncle Bob and his brothers (and his sister Elaine) had heartfelt regular phone calls that included updates on the extended families always ready to offer advice, guidance and more.
Consider the early formative years of Uncle Bob and his siblings in the 1930s. The boys...
John BaRoss (Jr)
April 22, 2019 | Long Valley, NJ | Family
I first met Bob, "Mr. Baross", as a college student working summers at The Atlantic House and C E was my hang out. Bob was the kindest man and made a big lasting impression on me with his wit, business savvy, and endearing personality. Years past and as fate would have it, I met someone from town in MA who was close to Bob and the extended family and introduced me to the whole gang and all welcomed me to a memorable Christmas Tree Inn July 4th celebration. My heart goes out to Bev, Kathy,...
Kate Bedard
April 19, 2019 | South Hadley, MA
Bob was an icon in transportation in Maine. His company was always a strong supporter of construction and transportation and created many jobs for many people. I will never forget his kindness, his wonderful demeanor, his generosity and his sense of humor. My husband Jeff knew him through the Small Woodlot Owners and the American Chestnut Society. He will be missed. Our condolences to Beverly and his family.
Maria Fuentes
April 19, 2019 | Hallowell, ME | Friend
Bob BaRoss was a kind and gracious man. I feel blessed to have shared time with him and call Bob my friend. Healing thoughts for Bev and the family .
Patricia Murphy
April 19, 2019 | Harrison, ME | Friend
Dear Kathy and Bev (and family), I was so sad to hear of the passing of your Dad and husband. Bev, you and Bob set a wonderful example of how a long-term relationship works. Kathy, I know your father was a generous, thoughtful man who helped create a great space for his family. His passing definitely puts out some light, and his good vibes will be missed. My love to you all, Alex Taylor. (Betsey Hinckley)
Alexandrea Taylor
April 18, 2019 | Stuart, FL | Friend
All, Bob truly made the world a better place. He is a beautiful soul and was always so helpful and supportive to our family. Dana and I love you all and send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Bob's incredible life and grieve the end of his time on earth. Peace and Love, Ruth and Dana
Ruth Dufresne
April 18, 2019 | Yarmouth, ME | Friend
Paul and family. So very sorry for your loss. Bob was such a good man. He will be missed.
Leslie Lampert
April 17, 2019 | Old Orchard Beach, ME
Beverly and Family, I worked for Chadwick-BaRoss over 50 years ago on Forest Avenue, Portland, as a receptionist, answered the telephone and also did secretarial work for the Sales Manager. I enjoyed my time left there, a great working environment. I did not know at the time that Bob and I shared a birthdate, July 30th! I was married and had one child when I worked there, went on to have three more children, and lost my husband after 50 years of marriage.
My sincere condolences to all...
Beverlee Beers Richardson
April 17, 2019 | Westbrook, ME | Coworker
Robert P. BaRoss, 90, of Cape Elizabeth passed away peacefully on April 8th, 2019 surrounded by his family. Born July 30th, 1928 in Greenlawn, NY, son of Lucille and Louis BaRoss, Bob has two brothers, Tom who is married to wife Jane, John (deceased) who was married to wife Joan, and one sister Elaine. He attended Purdue University and trained with the ROTC. He graduated in 1949 with a degree in Forestry. While at Purdue, Bob met Beverly Doering, who became his wife of over 69 years.
Bob chose a career with Caterpillar Tractor.While at Caterpillar he was called to the Navy during the Korean War and assigned to the USS Bellatrix. During his service he trained Navy sailors to run the landing crafts and later transferred to the CB’s (Construction Battalion) Division.
After his service in the Navy, Bob and Beverly settled in Cape Elizabeth in 1956. He was employed by Caterpillar as a District Representative with responsibility for the Canadian Maritimes. A few years later, Bob purchased the Portland Tractor Company with then-business partner, Dick Chadwick. Portland Tractor soon became Chadwick-BaRoss, one of the regions largest and most successful heavy equipment dealerships in the northeast. In the mid 1980's, Bob brought in Dieter Strobl, an Austrian equipment dealer as partner. Dieter's group eventually bought the balance of Chadwick-BaRoss.
In 1987, following the death of long-time peer Lloyd Hawkensen, Bob arranged for and managed an ESOP to purchase Connecticut Valley Chipping Company (CVCC) from Lloyd's estate. CVCC was a major supplier of wood chips to the S.D. Warren mill in Westbrook. He also assisted several young entrepreneurs in developing their businesses including; Charlie Haywood for Yankee Industrial Truck, Art Hicks for C-B Kenworth, Peter Taylor for HMC Corporation and Steve Huss for Hawkensen Equipment Company and Batteries Plus Bulbs.
Bob and Beverly raised three children, Daniel (deceased in 1993), Kathleen, and Paul. Together with Donald (Beverly's brother) and Barbara Doering (both of Purdue fame) and their seven children, the adventurous foursome purchased the Christmas Tree Inn in Bridgton, Maine in 1968. Family birthdays and holidays were celebrated here for the next 50 years. The Inn remains a family camp to this day and is attended and managed by some 29 family members in 4 generations.
Bob was a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited and a very excellent duck hunter himself. He was a forester and outdoors-man and although he loved boats, it was always an adventure if you went out on the water with him, but we all came back alive.
In retirement Bob remained active, volunteering at the Greater Portland Visitor's Center, serving as Treasurer for the Maine Historical Society, Docent for the Longfellow House, and working with the American Chestnut Society.
Bob is survived by his wife Beverly, daughter Kathleen and her husband Steve, son Paul, granddaughters Stephanie and her husband Mike, Jennifer and five great-grand-children: Antonella, Lillian, Isabelle, Lee, and Madeline.
A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland, Maine on Friday April 19th, with visiting hours at 2:00 PM followed by services at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the Family asks that donations be made in Robert BaRoss’s name to the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust or Maine Historical Society.
God speed Bob, Dad, Uncle Bob, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa. We all love you and you will be deeply missed.
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