Robert M. Irvine, 89, passed away on the morning of Jan. 25 at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta.
Born in Framingham, Mass., on Sept. 19, 1917, he was the son of Vernard and Jennette (Mayes) Irvine.
After high school, Mr. Irvine joined the U.S. Army and served in many locations during WWII. While in the service, he received four Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, a Silver Star, and was wounded during the Normandy Invasion.
In the early 1950’s, he and his wife, Virgie Irvine, owned a Country Store in Wardsboro, Vt. He later became a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Wardsboro, Vt. before becoming a principal in Bellows Falls, Vt. After falling in love with the Boothbay region, he relocated and taught for many years in Boothbay and Southport. At the time of his retirement, he was the Principal at the Southport school.
He was a member of the Rotary, the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, the Maine Retired Teachers Association, and a 50-year member of the Masons, and for 13 years, delivered for Meals on Wheels.
He was predeceased by his wife, Virgie (Pheiffer) Irvine in 1995; brother, Bill Irvine; and sister, Margaret Strickland.
He is survived by his son, Robert of Middletown, R.I.; sister, Carol Adams of Bangor; grandchildren, Holly Salvi of Southborough, Mass., and Cameron Irvine of Grafton, Mass.; great-grandchildren, Sam Salvi and Quinn Salvi; and brother-in-law, Robert Strickland of Winthrop.
Visiting hours 5-7 p.m., Sun., Jan. 28 at Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
Funeral 11 a.m., Mon., Jan. 29 at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle.
He will be laid to rest with his wife at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o Senior Spectrum, Coastal Community Center, 521 Main St., Box 8, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
