Robert A. Bolduc

SKOWHEGAN -- Robert A "Bob" Bolduc, 65, of Skowhegan, a born-again Christian who knew and loved Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, became a citizen of heaven on April 20, 2010, after battling Alzheimer's for several years. Bob passed peacefully with his wife and son at his side.

Bob was born in Skowhegan in 1945, the son of the late Thomas and Marie Antoinette (Turcotte) Bolduc. He was a lifelong resident of Skowhegan.

As a youth, Bob enjoyed playing baseball, a passion he passed on to his son. Bob graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1963 and immediately joined the Navy, desiring to get out of Skowhegan and "see the world." Bob served aboard the U.S.S. Ingraham during the jungle phase of the Vietnam War as a radarman from 1965 to 1966.

Bob returned to Skowhegan in the late 1960s and held several jobs. Bob used the GI Bill to put himself through college, and he graduated magna cum laude from Thomas College in Waterville with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1976. Upon graduation, Bob worked for the certified public accounting firm Maginnis and McCloskey in Waterville as a tax accountant.

His passion for tax accounting and an entrepreneurial spirit led Bob to start his own tax accounting firm in Pittsfield in the late 1970s. He incorporated his business in 1989 under the name Tax-Pro Inc. In 1993, his son joined him in the business, and Bob continued running the business until the early signs of Alzheimer's forced him to retire in 2004. Bob was proud to be an Enrolled Agent, having gained that prestigious credential in 1983.

Bob was very active in his church during his time here on earth. Bob was one of the founders of Crossroads Bible Church in Madison, serving as one of its first deacons and then serving as an elder for almost two decades. Bob was also the first treasurer the church had and served in that capacity for 22 years. Through the years, Bob taught several adult Sunday school classes, led various Bible studies, did a variety of lay preaching, and otherwise labored diligently on behalf of the Lord and the great people who have called Crossroads home over the years. Bob will always be remembered by his Crossroads family for his faithfulness, leadership, integrity, mercy, and his God-given ability to make people laugh. Always witty and humorous, Bob was always ready with a light moment, usually at the expense of his wife's cooking skills during the morning announcements.

Bob lived a life that while brief, was complete. Some of his favorite things were spending time with his family, especially his two grandchildren whom he absolutely adored. As a youth, he loved going to camp at Great Moose Lake in Hartland, fishing and boating. Bob enjoyed reading and studying his Bible, shooting pool, playing cards, playing catch with his son, studying the financial markets and the tax code, taking afternoon naps, making people laugh, and watching the Red Sox. Additionally, Bob loved to travel. He got to sail around the globe twice while with the Navy and he and his wife drove all across the United States for several months in 1992, capping it with a trip to Hawaii. He really enjoyed his home away from home in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., where he spent every October through December basking in the sun, lying and walking on the beach as he rested up for the next tax season.

Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Vickie (Michaud) Bolduc, originally of Andover; his only child, Robert Bolduc II of Skowhegan and his wife, Amanda; two precious grandchildren, Brayden and Sydney; a mother-in-law, Florence Michaud of Skowhegan (formerly of Andover); a half-brother, David Bolduc and his wife, Judy, of Skowhegan; sister Sally (Bolduc) Boardman and her husband, Richard, of Scarborough; brother Gerald Bolduc of Cudjoe Key, Fla.; several nephews, nieces, cousins, good friends, clients, and his extended family at Crossroads Bible Church in Madison.

Bob wanted to express his deep love and special thanks for all the great employees who worked so hard for him over the years to make Tax-Pro Inc. so successful. He was particularly indebted to his longtime assistant Linda Wiles, who has graciously and skillfully taken care of business.

Vickie and Rob want to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to the entire staff at Maplecrest in Madison for the compassionate, loving, and skilled care provided to Bob during his stay at the facility and to the great people at Beacon Hospice of Augusta. Thank you to both organizations for seeing that Bob was well taken care of.

A wake with viewing hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at the Smart-Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A celebration of Bob's life will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, April 26, at Crossroads Bible Church, Clough's Corner, in Madison, with Pastor George Finnemore officiating. A reception will follow. Interment will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Andover.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to: Crossroads Bible Church, Missions Fund, 705 White School House Road, Madison, ME 04950.

This isn't the end of the road for Bob, only the beginning of eternal bliss with Christ in Heaven. He looks forward to seeing you there! Life is toughÉGod is good! John 3:16-18