Robert Joel Fossett Jr., 64, of Bristol, passed away on March 30 at his home in the woods on the land that he loved. He was diagnosed with cancer last summer and fought valiantly in order to spend more time with his family and friends.
Bobby was born in Damariscotta on Dec. 30, 1946, the son of Robert Sr. and Guinevere Corson Fossett. Growing up in Pemaquid, he enjoyed spending time on the family farm and working with his father. They hauled wood with their team of horses, hayed fields for local farmers, raised many animals, and were envied for their vegetable gardens. He graduated from Bristol High School in 1965.
On May 27, 1967 he married Valerie J. Gilbert, the youngest child of Walter and Velma of Christmas Cove. He went on to serve his country during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, was a fan of NASCAR, the Red Sox and the New England Patriots; was an excellent cribbage player and shared his ability with his oldest grandson. He looked forward to family gatherings at Fossett’s Shore, Sebago Lake and Donald’s Dock, his mother’s baked goods and his daughters’ home cooked meals. He was a fan of country music, especially Faith Hill; was a longtime emcee of the Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat races, was a regular at Hanley’s Market for morning coffee and conversation, drove stock cars at Wiscasset Raceway, was the official scorekeeper throughout his grandsons’ baseball careers, and was a fixture at their many sporting events. He looked forward to annual motorcycle trips and traveled to places like the Grand Canyon, Nashville, Canada and everywhere in between.
Bob was a member of the New Harbor chapter of VFW and the Harrington Cemetery Committee. He had a passion for local politics, and served his town in various positions including Selectman, member of the Shellfish Committee, Planning Board, Appeals Board and the County Budget Committee. He was a long-time volunteer First Responder and Firefighter.
In 2010 he received the Fan of the Year award for his dedication to Lincoln Academy athletics, a testament to his presence in the lives of his grandsons. He truly loved his entire family, but his greatest joy was being a grandfather. He took pride in attending everything that they participated in. As his illness progressed, he never let it get in the way, scheduling appointments around their events. Throughout the fight for his life this past winter, he never missed an LA basketball game, and had hoped to make it to opening day of LA baseball.
Bob was employed by the Pemaquid Harbor Co-Op, Small Brothers Wharf, Hanley Construction, Poole Brothers Lumber and, until his illness, O.W. Holmes Inc.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Valerie Fossett; son, Walter R. Fossett; daughter, Andrea L. Gray and husband Jeffrey; daughter, Rebecca S. Wotton and husband Donald Jr. and their children Merritt, Mitchell and Myles; daughter, Rachael K. Fossett and partner Mike and her children Eric and Brandon Reilly, and his children David and Jacob Prior; brother, James O. Fossett and wife Meredith and their children Michael and Brandi; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Service honoring Robert 1 p.m., Mon., April 4 at the Harrington Meeting House in Pemaquid. Burial will be immediately following in the Harrington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln Academy Boosters, 81 Academy Hill Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553 or the Bristol Consolidated School Boosters, 215 Bristol Rd., Pemaquid, ME 04558.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
