Robert Norman LePage, 91, passed on peacefully the early evening of Thursday  September 13,2018. He was born in Auburn, Maine, the cherished only child of Laure L. (Saucier) LePage and Albert E. LePage of Lewiston, Maine. They lived in close proximity to a wonderful network of family and friends.

His uncles Roland, Gerald and Roger Saucier treated him as their youngest brother. He spoke fondly of many adventures together. They were some of his closest mentors in life.

He was given the gift of speaking two languages, first French and then English when he entered school. He mastered both languages with eloquence and appreciated the poetry, nuances and beauties of each.

Robert spent his youth in Lewiston and became a lover of all sports and outdoor activities. He spoke with enthusiasm how much he enjoyed the summer camps at Dry mills and Camp Gregory where he gained many lifelong friendships.

He graduated from Lewiston High school in 1945. He loved the Blue Devils where he played Quarterback for the football squad, Competed in freestyle swimming, winter sport Ski team, basketball , Hockey, and Played baseball shortstop and center field.

Right after High school(June 1945) he proudly served  the US Navy with deployment  on the  USS YMS53 Minesweeper which took him to Shanghai China and the straights of Formosa. He received *Honor Man awards of his division and became Gunners mate.

In 1946 he enrolled in the University of Maine at Orono, Premed program. During his four years he adjusted his focus as he found aptitude in the sciences and realized he enjoyed sharing his knowledge. He achieved his UMO College Degree in 1952.  While at Orono, in addition to his studies he continued his passion for sports enjoying success with the Football and Tennis teams. In 1951 he and his team mates were All State and Yankee Conference Tennis champions. He spoke proudly too of his wonderful “brothers” of his Theta Chi Fraternity.

Post- graduation he taught High School Sciences and Coached Basketball and Baseball in Clinton Maine. The next year he was offered a position with Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. There he continued his teaching and coaching career this time with Skiing and Tennis teams.

In 1952 while on a double date, he met his true Love, Elsie Burgess who was a Graduate of school rival Edward Little HS Auburn Maine. As he has told the story…. she really “swept him off his feet”. They shared a love for music and dancing, sports, travel and an amazing unwavering devotion to family. They celebrated their marriage in 1953 in Lewiston, Maine and enjoyed a renewal of vows ceremony at their 50th anniversary.

They lived in Ellsworth Maine, before moving to Bath in 1956, where they raised their family and became part of a strong community. Robert enjoyed a successful Morse High School career teaching chemistry, biology, math and history to generations of families over the years. He was the “Master of the Slide rule” and loved to see his students progress to graduation and on to successes in their community. In addition to classroom teaching he continued mentoring his students imparting the love of well-played sports. He loved to coach football, swimming and baseball, nurtured many teams to success and most of all imparted the importance of Good sportsmanship. He became a basketball official in Maine and NH for High school and college games.  He served as President of the Officials association in 1970.

When the school year completed in lieu of vacation, he spent 20 summers as Waterfront Director at Camp Zakelo in Harrison Maine, and later Director of Lifeguards in Wells and Drake’s Island from 1972 for 14 years.

He enjoyed a very active life including a love of horseback riding, training and teaching, all winter and summer sports especially Snow skiing, jumping & slalom water skiing.

He was an avid tennis player and could regularly be seen enjoying a lively match of singles or doubles. He continued his love for tennis, achieved many wins over the years and played well into his 80’s. Remarkably he was still imparting some tips on  “how to” perform a good back hand swing in recent conversation.

Robert and Elsie cherished their family and dedicated their time cheering on their 2 children and all of their 6 grandchildren’s careers. If there was an event from early music and stage performances to sporting events (high school and college including commencements.), you could be assured they would be there in the appropriate team and school colors!

When it was time to downsize from their home, Robert and Elsie moved to Portland together to Birchwoods at Canco assisted living and enjoyed the new community together. In 2016, they were honored and named Queen and King of the Birchwood Prom.

Robert continued his residence there after Elsie’s passing in August 2017.

The family of Robert and Elsie thanks all the Birchwood staff for their amazing dedication, caring support, and kindness.

Robert is survived by his two children, daughter, Janet LePage Beecher and her husband Bruce R. Beecher of Scarborough, his son, Michel J. LePage and his wife Margaret (Coughlin) LePage of Cumberland; grandchildren, Page Beecher and his wife Ashley Beecher of Scarborough, Maine and Christine Beecher Roberts and her Husband Gareth Roberts of Westbrook ,Maine,  Burgess, Catherine and James LePage of Denver, Colorado, and Liza LePage and her husband Adam Normann of Portland.Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Morse High School, 826 High Street, Bath, ME 04530, for Boys and Girls Swim Teams, ATTN: AD Nate Priest.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home, 253 Pine Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, with the reception starting at 4 PM, and formal remarks to be made at 5 PM.

Condolences and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.

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