TOPSHAM: Robert Eugene Bishop, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2018 in Topsham, Maine after a lengthy and courageous battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Bodies Dementia. He was born on March 1, 1942 in Lewiston, the son of the late Mona (Jewett) Bishop and Robert E. Bishop, Sr. He was raised in Auburn, where he graduated from Edward Little High School in 1960. In 1961, he married Frances Vye, his high school sweetheart and wife for the following 45 years. Bob was fortunate to find love again, spending the past 10 years with his partner, Joanne Valliere. From the time he was a young boy, Bob was a hard worker. In 1955, at the age of 13, Bob and his brother Bruce started a paper route. Bob also worked part time at Food Town all through high school. At the age of twenty-three, he and his family moved to Rumford, where he opened and managed the Rumford Food Town for 15 years. Bob, then shifted careers, becoming an oil burner technician, and eventually moved back to the Lewiston/Auburn area, where he retired from Dead River Oil Company in 2006. Bob prided himself in having a strong work ethic, and rarely missed a day of work. He was often recognized by his employers for his dedication.
Bob was also a very kind husband and father. He was committed to providing for his family, investing in their education and encouraging them to pursue their own careers. Bob spent his childhood summers in South Harpswell where he enjoyed lobstering. As an adult, his summer vacations were spent fishing and boating on the ocean or Richardson Lake. Bob also loved animals – he spent many days hiking with a loyal dog at his side, and nights cuddled up with his cats.
Bob is survived by his children, Mike Bishop and partner Danielle Lavache of Bowdoin, and Treena Bishop and husband Jeremy Davis, of Bangladesh; grandchildren, Brianna Bishop of Portland, Benjamin Bishop of Lewiston, Connor and Madelyne Davis of Bangladesh; siblings, Bonnie Miville and husband Don of Auburn, Wendy Ayotte and husband Paul of Turner, Bruce Bishop and wife Dominicana of Florida. Bob was preceded in death by his sister Joanna Smith, whose husband Richard resides in Lewiston.
Visiting hours will be held at Fortin\Auburn on Monday December 10, 2018 from 4-7pm. A Celebration of Bob’s life will take place on Tuesday December 11, 2018 at 11am also at the funeral home. Interment will be in the spring at Oak Hill Cemetery in Auburn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research @ https://www.michaeljfox.org
Condolences and memories can be shared with Bob’s family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 217 Turner St. Auburn, 783-5845
