AUBURN – Arthur Robert “Bob” Gosselin, 81, of the Odd Fellows Home and formerly of 625 College St., Lewiston, died on Sept. 29, after a brief illness, and was received by the Lord his God into his heavenly choir.

He was born in Augusta on Aug. 15, 1927, to Arthur J. and Delia Hamel Gosselin. He was the second child of what was to become nine siblings. He was educated in Lewiston schools, attended St. Dominic Regional High School and graduated in 1947.

His tenure in high school was interrupted when the U.S. Navy called him to duty, where he served in the Philippines during World War II. After the Navy, Bob worked at Boston Shoe and left there to take on the responsibility of the salesman manager at Knapp Shoe. During his early years at Knapp Shoe, he met and married Ellen Louise Harris, who bore him a son, Anthony R. Gosselin, in 1967. His predominant hobby throughout his life has been devoting time to his son, Tony, the development of his voice and his earnest passion for sports.

He will be best remembered by his community for his dedication to both the choirs of St. Joseph’s Church and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and those midnight Masses at Christmas time, when “O Holy Night” would echo through the Twin Cities. He will be best remembered by his nieces and nephews as singing at their weddings and other festive occasions, and by his siblings as singing tenor with their father and accompanied by their mother on the piano. Mostly, dad will be best remembered by his son for his undying and eternal love and devotion, friendship and guidance.

In his later years, Bob’s devotion to the Knights of Columbus, Council 106, became his leading ambition. His greatest endeavor and happiest moments with the Knights was donning his red beret and ascot and leading their Wallace Assembly Drum Corps at all the local parades.

Bob wished to say thank you for all of the friendships he made at the Odd Fellows residence in Auburn and to St. Mary’s and d’Youville Pavilion for the care and attention he received there during the last few weeks.

Bob is survived by his son, Anthony Gosselin and his wife, Kim, of Bordentown, N.J.; one granddaughter, Jillian Gosselin, of Bordentown; his two sisters, Therese Giem and her husband, Dick, and Rita J. Gosselin; his six brothers, Roland Gosselin, Armand Gosselin and his wife, Shirley, Roger Gosselin and his wife, Laurette, Raymond Gosselin and his wife, Pauline, Lucien Gosselin and his wife, Anna Rose, and Maurice Gosselin and his wife, Linda; and many nieces and nephews.