CAPE ELIZABETH – Robert Traill, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on March 6, 2023 at the age of 100.

He was born April 24, 1922 in Providence, R.I. to Robert and Lillian E. (Lawton) Traill. He graduated from Providence Classical High School in 1939 and from Brown University in 1943 with a B.A. in Economics.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with final rank of captain in World War II, participating in battles of Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa with 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division and in the occupation of Kyushu, Japan with the 2nd Marine Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

Bob married Helen R. Shanley on July 5, 1946 and joined the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, later renamed ExxonMobil, and served for 33 years as a marketing representative, manager, and College Recruiting Coordinator.

In 1979 he and his wife founded Olsten of Southern Maine in Portland, a temporary help franchise. It was sold in 1991 after which Bob joined St. Joseph’s College as Director of Corporate Relations. In later years he was a professional recruiter and finally Director of Diversified Recruitment for Bonney Staffing Center. In the latter role he was a member of the Older Worker Committee and the Veterans Employment Committee, State Workforce Investment Board, Maine Department of Labor. He received the Second Seals Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

During his working years Bob was a member of the Portland YMCA Board of Directors, Chair of the Cumberland County Private Industry Council, President of the Rotary Club of Portland, Maine, Past Chairman of the Maine Medical Center Annual Fund, Maine Medical Center Corporator, and Past Chairman and Life Member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Portland, Maine.

Throughout his life Bob enjoyed an active life of community volunteerism, particularly with the Portland Rotary and Salvation Army. One of his favorite projects was helping kids at Lyseth Elementary School with their reading. He kept himself physically fit well into his 90s through the discipline of going to the Sullivan gym at USM three times a week and biking throughout Maine and Europe, including France, Italy, Austria and New Zealand, sometimes with his children (who had a hard time keeping up with him!). Other travels included cruising with his wife Helen and touring Scotland and the Orkney Islands to connect with his Scottish ancestors.

Bob was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Helen R. Shanley; parents Robert and Lillian Traill; and brother, Donald Traill.

He is survived by children Linda A. Eminhizer (Charles), Joan H. Gordon (Jack), Elizabeth T. Craighead (Steven), and Robert Traill, III; grandchildren Robert and John Liechty, Dennis and Erich Eminhizer, Kelly Gordon, Rose (Gordon) Sala, Brian Gordon; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces Susan (Traill) Jacobson and Susan (Shanley) Szala.

Bob’s family sincerely wishes to thank the staff at The Landing in Cape Elizabeth for their genuine kindness, compassion and companionship they provided to Bob.

A funeral service will be held at the Salvation Army, Portland Corps Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18. Visiting hours will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 17 at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. To view Robert’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the

Salvation Army, Portland Corps,

P.O. Box 3575,

297 Cumberland Ave.

Portland, ME 04104 or 04101 respectively,

Maine Medical Center,

22 Bramhall St.,

Portland, ME 04102 or

Mercy Hospital,

175 Fore River Pkwy,

Portland, ME 04102