RICHARD JOSEPH POTVIN Jr.

POTVIN, RICHARD JOSEPH JR., 84, Shoe Industrialist and Real Estate Developer of Auburn Maine and Miami Beach Florida passed away peacefully on the 12th day of June 2015 at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, with his loving wife by his side. He was born August 15, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Richard Joseph Potvin Sr. and Dorothy Francis (Lynch) Potvin of Brockton, Massachusetts and Golden Beach, Florida. He attended MOUNT SAINT CHARLES ACADEMY in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Known as "JOCKEY", Richard excelled in Football and Hockey. He was Captain of the hockey team and on the Rhode Island "All State" team in 1948 and 1949. During the 1970's he was co-owner of the Maine Nordiques (Quebec Nordiques) Hockey Team of Lewiston, Maine. After attending The BABSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS he entered the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS in 1951 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and served with honors under the rank of SARGENT. While there, he met his wife Patricia Ann Dillon. They married in 1953. In 1954 Richard moved to Brockton, Massachusetts to work alongside his parents at the R.J.POTVIN SHOE CO. and to raise a family. The company was nationally known for its manufacturing of infant footwear known as "BUNTEES". During the 1960's, many summers were spent at the family cottages at Monument Beach and Pocasset, Cape Cod and on Stetson Pond in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Richard Jr. became President of THE POTVIN SHOE CO. as Richard's parent's retired to Golden Beach, Florida. On a monthly basis the shoe industry took Richard around the Country and to Europe. Richard was accredited with many shoe "patents" due to his creative work in the shoe business. Some infant and children shoes to this day, particularly the "soles" bare his last name in reverse "NIVTOP" as a credit to his unique shoe patents. He also patented a "CORRECTIVE SHOE BAR" that connected both infant shoes together while the child slept and corrected its feet. Being a shoe manufacturer and from the home town of WORLD CHAMPION HEAVY WEIGHT fighter ROCKY MARCIANO, Richard and his Dad manufactured ROCKY'S shoes worn in his fights. Richard took his ideas and designed an electronic conveyor-belt system for manufacturing shoes. His company THE R.J. POTVIN SHOE COMPANY was the first shoe manufacturing company in the UNITED STATES to implement this high tech and fast way of making shoes which became known in the auto industry as the "assembly line". A video documenting this at The Potvin Shoe Plant is on display at the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Richard was a member of the shoe industry's United Shoe Machine and Two Ten Associates. Richard and his Dad sold the R.J. Potvin Shoe Company to The Stride Rite Shoe Company in 1964, and remained there to run the company for 5 years. He then moved his family to Auburn, Maine where he held the position of President with the Belgrade Shoe Company. In the 1970's Richard began investing in the real estate market of Lewiston-Auburn, Maine and Miami, Florida. He owned a Marina and Boat Yard with his Dad in Miami. He also owned striped malls, office buildings and Mill Buildings in Lewiston-Auburn Maine providing over 300,000 square feet of space to the local economy. Golfing became his favorite hobby. He eventually attained a 9 handicap and won several Private Club Championships. In Florida he was a member of Indian Creek Country Club of Miami, LaGorce Country Club of Miami, The Surf Club of Miami Beach, and The Bal Harbour Club of Bal Harbour. Also, Thorney Lea Country Club of Brockton and Martindale Country Club of Auburn. In 1982 Richard and his wife retired at the Surf Club on Miami Beach. Richard enjoyed 30 years of retirement playing golf and attending huge Gala's with his wife Pat. His biggest adventure was his 42 foot yacht called the "NIVTOP II". He moored it in Bal Harbour, Florida and would sail it back and forth from Miami to Freeport, Maine. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years Patricia Ann Potvin. His Son Richard J. Potvin III and his loving partner Joyce A. Banville. His Daughter Jeanne M. Levasseur and her husband Andre. His Daughter Catherine A. Bouquet and her husband James His Daughter Patricia A. Dupont and her husband Rene Ten Grandchildren and Eleven Great-Grandchildren His First Cousin James Mullen and his wife Sarah Ann. He is predeceased by his son Michael Potvin, his father Richard Sr., his mother Dorothy and his sister Theresa Online condolences and photo gallery at www.thefortingroupauburn.com Visitation Fortin / Auburn Sunday June 21 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Funeral will be celebrated on Monday June 22, at 11 AM at the funeral home. Committal will follow at ST. Peter's Cemetery. Those wishing to make donations in his memory may do so to The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice 15 Strawberry Ave Lewiston Maine 04240. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation & Monument Services 217 Turner St. AUBURN ME (207) 783-8545.