Robert Charles Morrissette

BENTON – Robert Charles Morrissette, 88, of Benton, passed away peacefully in his “little shack in the woods” on April 18, 2023, after a short illness.

Bob was born Sept. 6, 1934, in Waterville, and lived in the greater Waterville area his entire life. He joined the Navy in 1952 and served four years. He began a career as an insurance agent with State Farm; however, his uncle, Vernal Furbush, saw more potential and encouraged him to join the Furbush Chevrolet business as the loan manager in 1968. He moved quickly up through the company, ending as the General Manager in 1975. In 1976, he opened his own used car business, Morrissette, Inc., on College Avenue in Waterville. He remained active in this business until his passing – though he “officially” retired around 2000.

Bob loved cars! Not only did he make a living running Morrissette, Inc. with son, David, for nearly 50 years, he found great enjoyment in tracking down and buying classic cars for his personal use. He’s had several Cadillacs, one Bentley and four Rolls Royce, going so far as having one shipped from Hawaii. He achieved a dream when he bought that first Rolls Royce.

Bob also enjoyed the peace and quiet of being in the woods. In the early years of married life in Sidney, he cut firewood, bulldozed roads and even tried his hand at dam building and creating a trout pond. In later years, he donated many, many man-hours and machine-hours to the Rotary Centennial Trail section of the Kennebec/Messalonskee Trail system, creating trails, access roads and a parking lot at the Benton/Winslow trail and mowing and maintaining many walking paths. He met so many kind people while doing this work – several that became close friends. And, he always made the dogs on the trails happy with a pocketful of treats. On his own property, he cleared and maintained a network of walking trails so he could stroll along and watch the eagles soaring along the river, catching fish to feed the young in a nest near his house. He enjoyed his trails and his eagles right up until his final days.

Bob and his friend, Arthur Thompson, were a common sight around central Maine hauling tractors that Bob was buying and selling. Arthur was the “muscle man” at 92!

Bob is survived by his three children, Daniel and partner Jennie, David and partner Trenetta, and Janet and husband Pat; his sister Ruth Albenze; grandchildren Nicole, Morgan, Cori and Sydney; great-grandchildren Layla, Cash and AnnElyse; and, his former wife, Simone Kramer.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Odilon and Violet (Norman) Morrissette; brother Harold Morrissette; grandson and namesake Cameron Robert Morrissette; and several beloved relatives and friends.

A graveside celebration of life for family and friends will be held on Sunday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Benton Falls Cemetery in Benton, Maine. A private family gathering will follow.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.