GORHAM - GALEN ROBERT “BOB” SCHOOLS, age 68, passed away surrounded by his family on November 7, 2019 at the Barron Center in Portland, Maine. Bob was born to the late Azilda and John Schools on March 7, 1951, in Houlton, Maine. He was the youngest of 10 children. After an unfortunate fire, the family moved to Portland where Bob attended schools, graduating from Portland High School in 1971. During high school Bob worked at Arlan’s in Portland’s Union Station Plaza beginning his more than 40 years of work in the retail business. He met his beloved wife Debbie while both working at Zayre at Pine Tree Shopping Center. They were married on June 5, 1976, and raised three boys, Nathan, Brian, and Philip, while living in Friendly Village in Gorham.
Bob enjoyed working on projects at home, building things, being involved with Boy Scouts as an assistant scout master, and traveling around to see his boys play baseball, hockey, and track/field. Bob also enjoyed leisure time including bird watching, and taking an afternoon nap followed by an espresso made from one of his two espresso machines. Additionally, he loved taking trips with Debbie to places like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun, and on many other cruises and trips that he always enjoyed talking about. The last road trip that Bob took was with Debbie to Prince Edward Island for their 40th wedding anniversary.
After “partially” retiring Bob found a love for brewing his own beer. He found pride in being “self-appointed” as the master brewer of Beatle Bailey’s Brew. He even designed his own “company” logo, although the beer was never for sale, he shared it with everyone! He was happiest when he was surrounded by people, including his wife, children and grand children.
Bob is predeceased by his parents Azilda and John Schools, sister Joyce, brothers Leland and John C. He is survived by his loving wife Deborah (Purtell) Schools, son Nathan R. and wife Anne (Foley) Schools, son Brian A. and wife Chantel (Bonner) Schools, and Phil C. and girl friend Brittany Baker. Four grandchildren Juliana, Taylor, Emilina, and Luke, and a fifth to be born in February 2020. Brother Richard “Dick” Schools and wife Loretta of Plant City, FL, sister Marie “Sally” Rice of Nashua, NH, sister Beverly Honan and husband William of Portland, sister Margaret “Maggie” Burnham of Westbrook, brother Michael and wife Patty of Buxton, and sister Dwyna MacDonald and husband Thomas of Wakefield, MA, along with many nieces and nephews.
Galen’s family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Beacon Hospice and the Barron Center for their compassionate, caring, and professional care they provided him during the last months of his life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Services will be held on Saturday November 16, 2019 at Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Services Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road, Buxton, Maine 04093. Visiting hours from 11 AM - 1PM, with funeral to follow at 1 PM. A private graveside service will be held at Eastern Cemetery in Gorham immediately following the funeral. Reception and celebration of life to follow at Flanagan Farm (668 Narragansett Trail, Buxton, Maine 04093).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, Inc. at https://cjdfoundation.org/donate .