BIDDEFORD — Robert R. “Bob” Gosselin, 83, a longtime resident of Biddeford, died Monday, May 4, 2015, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a brief illness.
He was born in Biddeford on Aug. 21, 1931, the son of Robert B. and Simone I. Bouthot Gosselin.
He was educated at St. Joseph Elementary and St. Louis Grammar Schools in Biddeford and pursued his high school studies at Seminaire St. Charles Boromee, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at Seminaire de Philosophie, Montreal, Quebec, where he received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Montreal.
On Nov. 28, 1957, he married Jocelyn M. Pinette at St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford.
After serving with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Bob was elected State Dept. Commander of the Disabled American Veterans and served as Aide de Camp for Governors Muskie, Dollof and Clauson.
Bob obtained his teaching certificate at St. Francis College in Biddeford, now the University of New England. He received his Masters in Education from Boston College, after which time he instructed at St. Ignatius High School in Sanford, and later at Wells High School. He served as President of the Wells-Ogunquit Teachers Association until his retirement in 1987.
Bob was the first manager of the St. Joseph Credit Union in Biddeford, and subsequently served as president. He remained on the board of directors for 20 years. Also elected the first president of the St. Joseph School Board, Bob served in that capacity for eight years. He also served as president of the St. Louis Alumni Association for four years.
Bob was an active member of the Spouse of the Holy Spirit Prayer Group for over 30 years. He was appointed director of the State Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee by Bishop Joseph J. Gerry, OSB. He also served as administrative assistant at St. Joseph Parish under the Rev. Pastors Morin, Ouellette and Labarre.
A founding member of the La Kermesse Festival in Biddeford, he served in its first four years of operations.
Bob was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus of the former Luke E. Hart Council #204 in Biddeford. He served as president of the Resident Council at the Birchwoods Assisted Living Community in Portland, up until the time of his death. Bob’s vocation in life was rooted in God, family and service.
He is preceded in death by: his loving and spirited wife, Jocelyn, on Aug. 9, 2009; and his sister, Pauline Gosselin Lomax in 1995.
He is survived by six children, all college graduates of whom he was extremely proud: Anne G. Girard and her husband Roger of Rowley, Massachusetts, Robert R. Gosselin II and his wife Cathy of Raymond, Guy J. Gosselin and his wife Leslie of Biddeford, Patrice A. Hampson and her husband Jonathan of Peterborough, New Hampshire, Louise K. Jagusch of Gilford, New Hampshire, and Susan E. Rocray and her husband Brian of Waterboro; along with 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Other family members are: a sister, Donna Nadeau of Biddeford; and a brother, Gerard G. Gosselin and his wife Judy of Lewiston.
Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, at Hope Memorial Chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME 04005.
Memorial donations in Bob’s memory may be made to St. James School, 25 Graham St., Biddeford, ME 04005, or St. Louis Alumni Association, P.O. Box 493, Biddeford, ME 04005.
To share condolences online, visit www.hopememorial.com.
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