Robert White Stairs

GORHAM AND HAMPDEN– Robert White Stairs passed away peacefully on March 29th, 2025 in Falmouth after a brief illness. Born November 9, 1944 in Caribou to Vesta White Stairs and George Osborne Stairs, Bob grew up in Washburn with his older sister Marilyn, riding bikes on Hines Street and swimming at the town swimming hole. As a child he was surrounded by grandparents and lively cousins, aunts, and uncles, nurturing his love and devotion for family. Bob graduated from Washburn High School in 1962 and the University of Maine in 1966. At UMaine he participated in ROTC and, despite living in an apartment above Pat’s Pizza his senior year, earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Bob enlisted in the Air Force after graduation and served in the Air National Guard in Bangor. He married his best friend Shirley Thibodeau in 1968. The couple settled in Hampden, welcoming two daughters whom he adored, Andrea and Sara. Bob’s entire career was dedicated to the Bangor Daily News, where he began as an accountant in 1967 and retired as Vice President and Treasurer and the first non-family member of the Board of Directors in 2010. He greatly enjoyed working there. He admired the Warren family for their commitment to their independent publishing company, and he appreciated his highly competent and fun administrative assistant, Michele Madden. His position took him all over the U.S. to visit other independent publishers, and his wife was always by his side on these adventures. He also enjoyed taking family members to the Warrens’ fishing camp in Canada, where many memories were made. One of his greatest accomplishments of his career was computerizing operations at the business. Bob’s interest in emerging technologies began in junior high when his father bought him his first ham radio. He earned his operating license as a teenager (K1TQK) and spent 65 years making friends on the air. His basement ham shack was the envy of his ham friends, and he was always adding the newest technology to his collection. He was a lifelong member of the Pine State Amateur Radio Club and served a term as the group’s president. Bob also served on the board of Eastern Maine Community College and the Hampden Recreation Department. Bob had a passion for sports cars, cruising in his Shelby Ford Mustang in his younger years and his Porsche Boxster in his retirement. Bob could build or fix anything–decks, home additions, bathroom renovations, basement finishing–he did it all. He had a knack for gardening, and his raspberries were a favorite of his grandchildren. Bob’s greatest passion was spending time with his family. There were numerous road trips in their Winnebago, annual vacations to Disney World, and Thanksgivings spent with relatives in The County. His home was always open to the girls’ friends. From swimming to curling and spraying hair to rowdy sleepovers to after-prom parties, Bob was never phased. He was a true Girl Dad. He kept his restored Coke machine in the garage with a pile of quarters on top so that kids could help themselves to refreshments. Bob and Shirley relocated from Hampden to Gorham in 2014 to be near their kids and grandkids. Known as “Pipi” to his grandchildren, Bob loved driving his granddaughter Lily to school daily and eating Beal’s ice cream with her and his grandson Luke. Bob was known for his honesty, kindness, good humor, and thoughtful advice. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 57 years Shirley of Gorham; daughter Andrea Davenport, son-in-law Mark, and grandson Luke of Gorham; daughter Sara Burgos, son-in-law Paul, and granddaughter Lily of Gorham; granddaughter Faith Burgos and partner Greg Prevost of Newton, MA; granddaughter Aimee Luther and husband Charlie of Charleston, SC; and many special nephews, nieces, and in-laws. A funeral mass will be held April 12th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Gorham. Friends and family are invited to gather immediately following the service for conversation and refreshments at MK Kitchen, Gorham. To share memories and condolences with the family please go to www.dolbyblaissegee.com. Arrangements are under the care of Dolby Blais & Segee, 76 State Street, Gorham.

Robert White Stairs

November 9, 1944 - March 29, 2025

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