SOUTH PORTLAND – Robert L. Wasson, 81, of South Portland, passed away unexpectedly at his winter home in Florida on Feb. 1, 2022.

Bob was born in Tamworth, N.H. on Feb. 17, 1940. He was one of five children.

Bob attended Portland Schools and was introduced to the love of his life, Donna L. Hellin by his brother Paul. Bob and Donna were married on March 23, 1960. A little over a year later they began to raise a family.

Bob worked at Jordan Meats for a couple of years but had a love for working on cars and became an auto mechanic. He especially liked restoring old cars. He learned to weld and got a job with General Electric in South Portland. He traveled around the country as a welder at many nuclear power plants. Around 1982, GE closed. Bob got a job with SMVTI as a welding instructor. He really loved teaching. His students enjoyed his real world skills. He taught for years until the program was discontinued. He decided to retire but still worked on cars for something to do. He was always tinkering.

In 2008 Bob and Donna became snowbirds and bought a winter home in Florida. Bob made friends everywhere he went. He went to the gym in Maine and Florida to keep in shape. He had bicycles at both homes and would ride them everywhere. Bob was devastated when his wife of 52 years passed after a second battle with breast cancer in 2012. He continued being a snowbird, but it was never the same.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Donna; his father, Leslie, mother, Marion, stepmom, Virginia; a sister, Carole Seavey of Vermont, brother, Leslie of New Hampshire, and a sister, Priscilla Perry of Portland.

He is survived by son, Chris and wife Tracey of Standish, daughter, Robyn of Brunswick, daughter, Michele and her husband Bill of Texas; a sister, Joyce Carter of New Hampshire and a brother, Paul of Florida. He has seven grandchildren, Brian Enright, Jason Sanchez, Adam Wasson, Jeremy Wasson, Jessica Fain, Keith Wasson and Lily Close. He also has 10 great-grands Alexia, Cahlea, Casely, Dwayne, Jackson, JaSean, JJ, Michael, Micah and Skylar. He will be missed by all!

Visiting hours will be from 11 to 12 p.m. on Saturday March 19 at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, with service to follow at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

The American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 553

Portland, ME 04112

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