1919 – 2013

SOUTH PARIS — Robert T. Tiner Sr., 93, of Auburn, died on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Maine Veterans’ Rehab Center in South Paris.

He was born in Newburgh, N.Y., on Oct. 1, 1919, the son of Gary Maxwell Tiner Sr. and Catherine (Keough) Tiner. Bob graduated from Lewiston High School in 1937, where he was very active in school sports, excelling in basketball and baseball. He continued with his sports activity for many years, being involved with the Twin City baseball and softball leagues.

Bob married the love of his life, Claire E. Matthews, and together they raised five children. They were happily married for 62 years, until Claire’s death in 2001.

An ardent sportsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and played an occasional game of golf.

He went to work at Pepperell Manufacturing Co., in Lewiston, until he was called to serve his country in the U.S. Navy, where he participated in both the American and European theaters. Much of his Navy duty was spent on the USS Philadelphia CL-41. After honorably serving his country, he went to work as a salesman for Higgins Appliance and Furniture Store in Auburn, where he eventually became the sole proprietor. In the 1960s, he became involved with the Auburn Police Reserves, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. He climbed through the ranks and became chief of the reserves. In 1972, Bob became a full-time dispatcher for the Auburn Police Department, where he was fondly known by the nickname, “Zorba.”

Bob was an extremely talented man; he played the banjo, guitar and harmonica. His drawings and oil paintings were striking, as well as his ability to create wooden replicas of various vintage automobiles, construction machinery and carnival rides. In addition to these hobbies, he refinished firearms using his homemade bluing tanks as a final touch.

Bob was an active member of the VFW and was a past commander of Post 1603 in Auburn. He enjoyed playing in cribbage tournaments at the VFW, and enjoyed candlepin bowling at the YMCA and Auburn Lanes on Court Street.

He enjoyed his fellowship at the East Auburn Baptist Church. He was a devoted animal lover; he loved his loyal dog, Easun, and his cat, Trotter.

Bob is survived by four children, Robert T. Tiner Jr. and wife, Meriese; Toby Tiner; Terry Tiner and wife, Jackie; and Cathy Zupancic and husband, Jack; a brother, Gary and wife, Doris; 10 grandchildren, Dori-Anne Tarr, Robert Tiner III, Shelley Anderson, Todd Zupancic, Toby Tiner Jr., Debbi Murphy, Scott Tiner, Terri Lee Ridlon, William Tiner and Cathy Miller; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He had two very dear and special friends, Linda Tiner and Kelly Soracco; and three caring neighbors, Virginia Huntington, Sandy Mabry and Donna Gagne.

He was predeceased by his wife, Claire Tiner; his son, William Tiner; his brother, Earl Tiner; and his granddaughter, Wendy Tiner.

The family thanks Bob’s primary care physician, Dr. Gary Hatfield, and the caregivers at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris for his excellent care. The family is also very appreciative of the care he received from two very special nurses, Melissa St. Pierre and Mary Hersom.