ROBERT HAROLD BRIDGES

Robert Harold Bridges, 69, died Jan. 11, 2013, at his home in Oakland, following a brief illness.

Born and raised in Oakland and Fairfield, he was the son of Harold and Evelyn Bridges. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bucknam, on May 12, 1962.

A 1961 graduate of Lawrence High School, Bob worked at Diamond International, Keyes Fibre for 26 years and retired after 13 years at Sappi.

A co-owner of Tenlots Lumber Co., he retired in 2001 to spend winters in Summerfield, Fla., and summers in Oakland.

An avid football fan, Bob spent numerous years volunteering for the Messalonskee Eagles, Scouting, videotaping games and supplying the football team with whoopie pies and milk.

Bob had a passion for fishing and hunting. Family and friends spent many days fishing on his boat, the Good Enuf, on East Grand Lake and hunting in the Tenlots woods.

A member of the Messalonskee Mason Lodge 113, he also was a 32nd degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Right of Freemasonry in the Valley of Portland and a member of the PACE Union Local 9.

Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen Bridges; a daughter, Lauryl A. Bridges, of Waldoboro; sons Jeffrey R Bridges and wife, Tammy, of Oakland, and Ronald H. Bridges, of Waterville; grandchildren Lauren Bridges Beveridge and husband, Josh, Michael Bridges, Jessica Bridges, Hannah Thibault, Grace Bridges and Emmet Bridges; father, Harold Bridges Jr.; brothers Keith Bridges and wife, Sharon, and Tom Barton; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws and many close friends.

Bob was predeceased by his mother, Evelyn Garland Bridges, and his sister, Jeannette "Jan" Barton.

A celebration of life officiated by Steve Donahue will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at the PACE Local Union 9 Banquet Hall, 653 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.

Bob's family extend their gratitude to the staff of MaineGeneral HealthReach Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MaineGeneral HealthReach Hospice, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903, and Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, P.O. Box 2612, Waterville, ME 04903.

A private committal service will be in the spring. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Oakland.