Robert D. Pate

SACO – Robert D. Pate, 93, of Saco passed away Saturday April 19, 2025, at his home with his family by his side. He was born on the Old Pool Road in Biddeford on Oct. 4, 1931, to Douglas Irving and Gladys Ruth Record Pate.

Robert attended local schools and started delivering milk at the age of 9 for Everett Ladd during World War II. His family later moved to Saco, where he graduated from Thornton Academy in the Class of 1950.

Robert served in the US Air Force and was stationed in England during the Korean Conflict.

After his service to his country, he returned home and entered the Dodge School of Embalming in Boston to become a funeral director, an active license he still held at the age of 93. After graduation, he and his wife Clara moved to Rockland, Maine to serve out his apprenticeship with the Davis Funeral Home.

Later, he and his family moved to the Dunstan area of Scarborough, where he ran a livery business serving many of the local funeral homes in York and Cumberland County. In 1968, he purchased the Dennett and Craig Funeral Home in Saco and added an additional funeral home in Buxton in 1985, creating Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Homes.

Robert was involved in many community organizations over the years. He is a past member of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, Wardwell Home and The Salvation Army Corps in Old Orchard Beach. Active in his sons’ sports over the years, he was past President of the Saco Little League and the Thornton Academy Boosters. Robert is a 75-year member of the United Baptist Church of Saco, Saco Masonic Lodge # 9 and a Lifetime Member of the Maine Funeral Directors Association.

Bob and his wife Clara enjoyed traveling to different countries, walking his Collie dogs, reading books on historical and political figures, Fox News and spending many afternoons at his grandchildren’s various sporting, music and dancing events.

Bob recently was able to attend Honor Flight Maine trip to Washington DC and was part of a group chosen to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, a brother Kenneth and a sister Priscilla Gilbert.

Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Clara Litwinowich Pate of Saco; three sons Dr. David Pate of Fairport, NY and wife Susan, James T. Pate of Saco and wife Lisa, Stephen D. Pate of Old Orchard Beach and wife Gina; five grandchildren Lainey Kempton and husband Nick, Benjamin, Jonathan and fiancée Molly, Katherine, Jessica; and great-grandchildren Jack, Natalie, William and Eleanor.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home 365 Main Street, Saco. Visiting hours will be concluded by a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. conducted by Saco Lodge # 9 and all Masonic members are invited to attend. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the United Baptist Church, 318 Main Street, Saco, Rev. Beverly Lowell will officiate. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 293 Beach Street, Saco. US Air Force funeral honors will be rendered. A graveside prayer will be provided by The Salvation Army and committal prayers by the United Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in

his memory to:

Age Friendly of Saco

Memo – Monthly Meals

75 Franklin Street

Saco, ME 04072