CJ Bob LaVine, a New Englander born and bred, passed away at the age of 90 at his home in Lewiston surrounded by the comfort of his immediate family. Bob was born at home in Ludlow, Vermont on July 5th, 1928, the son of Earl Merton and Marguerite Josselyn LaVine, and it was here in the shadows of Okemo Mountain that he grew up. On occasion he would share funny and happy memories of his childhood, whether it was about playing a prank on his grandfather, reciting " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas ” at the youthful age of three, or the calamity of learning how to drive going down a curvy mountain road with his dad and grandfather.
Bob was a scholar from an early age, graduating as Black River High School Valedictorian. He went on to attend the University of Vermont and then Keene State Teachers College in Keene, New Hampshire where he received a B.A. in Secondary Education. It was also here at Keene State that the shy Bob met his future bride of nearly 68 years, Ruth Lake of Brentwood, New Hampshire. He and Ruth always said that their beloved children and grandchildren all existed because of a clay vase that Bob was making in the art room at Keene State, for it was here that he extended the invitation for Ruth to come see him there if she would like. Needless to say, she did show up and that was the beginning of a nearly 7 decade love. He is survived by Ruth and she resides in their home in Lewiston, Maine.
Bob would go on to get a Master's of School Counseling degree from Boston University and continued his education through certificate of graduate study programs at universities such as Clark, Harvard, Vanderbilt and Edinburgh University in Scotland.
Some of Bob's fondest memories were when he and Ruth would load up the car and take a spur-of-the-moment road trip, sometimes landing in places like Canada or Virginia. He would tell you that it was these trips that were the most fun and made the best memories. Bob had a special love of Scotland, having studied there and then traveling back with his wife years later. He had immense pride in his Scottish h
eritage and would sing as proudly to “Flower of Scotland” as he would to “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Bob spent his career as a teacher, guidance counselor and high school administrator. His first job was teaching fourth and fifth grade in Dublin, New Hampshire, and he went on to teach and then become a principal in a number of other locations around New Hampshire, Massachusetts and lastly retiring from Oxford Hills High School in South Paris, Maine.
His legacy lies in his 6 children - three boys and three girls born to he and Ruth over eighteen years. He is predeceased by his eldest son Michael Gordon LaVine (wife Sharon LaVine) and his eldest daughter Kimberly Dianne LaVine and fiance Edward Smith Jr. whom he lost tragically to murder in 1985. He is survived by his son Joel Bradford LaVine and his wife Deborah LaVine of South Portland, Maine, his daughter Nancy Jane LaVine and her partner William Grover of Lewiston, Maine, his son Robert Josselyn LaVine and his partner Robin DuLac of Lewiston, Maine and his daughter Shannon Elizabeth (LaVine) Stone and her partner Brett Miller of Wells, Maine. Bob has 14 beautiful grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, and is also survived by his brother Kevin LaVine and wife Mary of York, Pennsylvania.
He was also predeceased by his sister Betty (LaVine) Lamoreaux and her husband Robert Lamoreaux.
It is with great sadness but immense love that they say goodbye for now.
Funeral services to be held at Court Street Baptist Church in Auburn Maine on Saturday, July 28th at 1:00 PM. Burial will be held at Ye Old Cemetery in Freetown, Massachusetts on Monday, July 30th.
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