Robert A. Gravel

1948 - 2022

Greene - Robert A. Gravel, age 73, of Greene, Maine, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, September 3rd, at his home with his family. He was born in Lewiston, October 9th, 1948, one of two sons born to Alyre and Medora (Cote) Gravel. Bob was educated in Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School with the class of 1966. Following high school, he attended Merrimack College and graduated in 1970. On August 22nd, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, the former Susan Lavertu, and together they settled in Easthampton, Massachusetts to raise their family for the next 12 years. They then relocated back to Maine for the remainder of their years. Bob worked more than 40 years in the textile manufacturing industry and spent the final 20-plus years of his career with Tex Tech Industries in North Monmouth until his retirement. Even in retirement, he remained available as a consultant for the company for several years. During his years at Tex Tech Industries, Bob attained some significant achievements and designed materials that will be used worldwide for years to come. Among his favorite enjoyments were spending time at the family camp in Abbot, Maine, which he personally built many years ago, log by log, with his wife, Susan, and many families and friends. Bob loved what the great outdoors provided for his family. He found pleasure in riding his side-by-side through the many trails, working on restoring his Jeep, snowmobiling, his Harley Davidson, as well as fishing, ice fishing, sailing and traveling. While up at camp, Bob and his wife found a wonderful group of people, the Silver Sneakers, at the Community Health Center in Guilford, here is where he introduced pickleball. To this day, it’s a favorite activity among the growing clientele at the health center. Bob once again, had left his mark. In his later years, Bob found a fondness of all the different kinds of birds that visited his many feeders, especially his beautiful cardinals. Simply put, Bob lived life to its fullest every day. He was a loving, devoted and hardworking husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, who will be missed dearly. He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Susan Gravel of Greene; his two daughters, Bobbie Sue Merrill and husband Robert Merrill Jr. of Greene and Christie Lynn Gravel and partner Robert Keenan also of Greene; his eight grandchildren, Alex Brown and wife Dana, Mathew Brown, Ty Merrill and fiancée Nichole, Bobby Keenan, Ashley Keenan, Christian Keenan, Charlotte Jane, and Tucker Merrill; his two great-grandchildren, Ruby Jo Brown and Reagan Robert Brown; his brother, Fern Gravel, and wife Louise of Lewiston, their three daughters, Debbie Smith, husband Brian and family, Michelle Lagasse, husband Neal, and family, and Celeste Gravel; also, many cousins and friends. Bob was predeceased by his parents. Visitation at Fortin Group / AUBURN - Sunday, Sept. 11th from 6-8 PM. Funeral Mass, Holy Cross Church - TUESDAY, Sept. 13th at 1 PM.

A small family gathering at Bob’s final resting place, Abbot Village Cemetery, will take place at a later date. Those wishing, may make donations in his memory to The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, 22 Bramhall St. Portland, ME 04102 or online at mainehealth.org/barbara-bush-childrens-hospital

To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingroupauburn.com

A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St. AUBURN, 783-8545