J. Robert Carrier

1925 - 2016

J. Robert Carrier, 90
SCARBOROUGH - J. Robert Carrier, 90, passed away on Jan. 30, 2016 at the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough after a brief illness. He was surrounded by family members.
Robert was born on June 29, 1925 in Lewiston, the son of Stanislaus and Cordelia Carrier. He graduated from Lewiston High School and during World War II served in the Merchant Marines. He stayed in the Merchant Marines for seven years, eventually earning the position of 2nd mate as a navigation officer. He also was a Golden Gloves boxer.
Once when he was on leave, he met nursing student Marie Therese Arsenault of Westbrook and three years later, they married at St. Hyacinth Church in Westbrook. He then left the Merchant Marines to be home with her and they started a family. In 2013 they celebrated their 64th anniversary. Marie Therese died in 2014. They had four children, the late Robert J. Carrier of Windham, Richard A. Carrier of Windham, daughter Michele Coughlin and her husband Dave of NH, and Ronald H. Carrier and his wife Lori, of Westbrook. He had seven grandchildren, Daniel Carrier, David Carrier, Dennis Carrier, Joseph Carrier, Thomas Kierstead, Sarah Kierstead and Juliette Marie Carrier; and seven great-grandchildren.
Robert earned a Business Administration degree at University of Maine while working at S.D. Warren in Westbrook. Later he worked nights at the paper mill, so he could attend the University of Maine Law School, and became a member of their first graduating class. While working at the mill, Robert represented Westbrook for 18 years in the Maine State Legislature. For many years he headed the Judiciary Committee. A hard worker who worked multiple jobs even as a very young man, he also sold insurance and was a real estate broker on the side, holding his broker's license for over 60 years. He retired from Scott Paper Co. in 1986.
In his leisure time, Bob enjoyed spending time with his family at his beloved home in Westbrook, as well as the camp he built at Little Sebabo lake and his cottage on Peaks Island. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus and St. Hyacinth Church, now St. Anthony of Padua. He was predeceased by five brothers, three of who were Catholic priests, and one sister. Robert had one surviving sister-in-law, Priscilla Carrier of Lisbon.
Visiting hours will be held at Blais & Hay Funeral Home in Westbrook from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The funeral Mass will be at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Westbrook at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Spring burial will be in St. Hyacinth Cemetery.