Robert Henry Desrosiers passed peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, March 6, 2022. He was born Sept. 19, 1940, in Biddeford, the son of Marie Amanda (Bouffard) and Alfred Joseph Desrosiers. He was educated in Biddeford schools, later obtaining his GED from Wells Adult Education in 1986, his graduation occurring at the same time as his daughter Deborah’s graduation from Kennebunk High School.
During his teen years, Bob was hired by prominent businessmen in the Biddeford area to drive them to and from their card games in Massachusetts. He later worked at Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Kennebunk on the northbound side of the Maine Turnpike. He studied and obtained certification in many fields of car repair and worked as a mechanic at the northbound Esso station, which was later taken over by Exxon.
Exxon sent him to Houston, Texas, for management training and he managed the station until it was replaced by C.N. Brown in 1983. He applied for a position as a fare collector with the Maine Turnpike Authority and worked as a mechanic for Crepeau Motors in Kennebunk while awaiting a call from the authority. He started with the Maine Turnpike in 1986, alternating from different toll booths until a permanent opening became available at the Kennebunk east toll. Bob retired from that job in November of 2009.
Bob loved covered bridges. He and his wife took one-tank getaways and managed to explore almost all of the covered bridges in Maine and New Hampshire. He also loved woodworking, making memorable pieces of furniture for his children and grandchildren, birdhouses and feeders, and Skittle dispensers for family and friends. He loved snowmobiling, gardening, fishing, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard Desrosiers. He is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Judith (West) Desrosiers; his three children – James Harvey Desrosiers and his wife Paula, Deborah Amanda Beal and her husband Richard, and Tracey Lee Bell and her husband John; his step-son Timothy Bass and his wife Heather; his grandchildren – Erin Lyn Beal, Erica Lee Beal, Autumn Nicole Desrosiers, Brooks Adam Desrosiers and Haleigh Matilda Bass; his sisters – Rita Payheur, Pearl Dumais, Connie Dean and Doris Cyr; his brothers – Renald Desrosiers and Dennis Desrosiers; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for its compassionate care and assistance during Bob’s illness. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
The family will receive visitors from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022, with a funeral service to begin at 3 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. Burial will be at a later date in Hope Cemetery, Kennebunk.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Bob’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
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