1936 – 2003

AUBURN – Robert A. Thurlow, 66, of 53 Partridge Lane, Auburn, died Sunday, Aug. 10, peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones after a long battle with a chronic illness.

He was cared for by his loving family, especially James Scherle, and the amazing staff of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice.

Born in Lewiston on Aug. 22, 1936, he was the son of Arthur and Bernice (Ray) Thurlow. He grew up and attended school in the Raymond and Poland areas, including the Pennell Institute in Gray from which he joined the U.S Air Force in 1954. He proudly served in the military for 20 years which included time during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He married Claudette Pelletier of Lewiston in 1959 to whom he remained devoted to for 43 years until her death in December 2002.

Upon retirement from the military, he settled back into his home community where he worked for several years at the Pejepscot paper mill in Topsham.

He enjoyed bowling, playing cards, cars, country music, and writing editorial letters for the newspaper. Mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a gentle giant of a man who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Brigitte and her husband James Scherle of Auburn; a granddaughter, Giselle Scherle of Auburn; four brothers, Carroll Thurlow and Walter Thurlow, both of Kingston, Ark., Arthur Thurlow Jr. of Turner and Luther Thurlow of Poland; two sisters, Betty Pierce of Poland, and Janice Ash of Gray; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Claudette; and his stillborn daughter, Giselle Thurlow.



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