Augusta, Maine-Robert R. Bernier, 78, passed away peacefully after a long illness on January 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Louise, daughter Karyn Demmons of Alexander, Maine and her Partner Weibley, son Jeffrey Bernier and wife Annie of Severn, Maryland and daughter Barbara Bernier-Crocker of Augusta, Maine and her partner Ron. He is also survived by his grandchildren to whom he was affectionately called “Grampy Bobby”, Anthony Demmons, Bradley Demmons, Justin Bernier, Aaryn Bernier, Jerry Bernier, Maranda Mendez, Hayden Crocker, Marissa Crocker, Tessa Crocker and Benjamyn Crocker along with six great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Robert was born in Lewiston, Maine, attending Lewiston and Auburn schools, graduating in 1961 from Edward Little High School. He went on to attend Husson College for a degree in Business. He spent much of his career in retail management, most recently managing Ames Department store and also working at Burlington Coat Factory and Rite Aid, but professed his best profession was being a father.

Robert had a sharp sense of humor, loved to play jokes on unsuspecting friends and family. A regular at the local library, you could always find him behind a book on a bench in the park. We were all lucky enough to hear him pour out stories on Egyptian mythology, Native American and Viking history with such life and vibrancy. He sometimes put his thoughts to pen and wrote several short stories and novels. He was also a self-proclaimed gemologist and geologist, spending many Sunday afternoons at different rock beds, sometimes locating geodes and rocks that contained fossils. In his down time he played chess, cribbage and any card game he could wager a bet.

Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He cared very much for those around him and would never pass up the opportunity to share in a good story. We will all miss his big smile and his warm hugs. He would never end a telephone conversation with goodbye-it was always “later”. So until we can meet again on the other side...later.