1928 – 2017

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Roy L. Gove of Lewiston and Tarpon Springs, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, in Florida, at the age of 88.

He was born July 21, 1928, at St. Mary’s Hospital to Emma Crompton and William Howard Gove. Roy graduated from Edward Little High School in 1945. He then attended Cushing Academy in 1946 and went on to graduate from the University of Maine at Orono in 1952. Roy also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.

Roy served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. On Aug. 29, 1953, Roy married the love of his life, Eleanor Byron of Bangor.

Roy was a foreman for the Weymouth Shoe Co., a bank examiner for the state of Maine and retired as deputy superintendent for the Bureau of Banking for the state of Maine.

Roy was a member of the L-A Kiwanis Club for more than 35 years. Roy was a 58-year Mason and member of Tranquil Lodge No. 29. Roy enjoyed the many years and the many friends he made as a member of Kora Shriners in Lewiston. Roy was an active member of Kora Shriners, serving as recorder from June 1969 through January 2001, and serving as circus chairman and director general of the Shrine Circus. Roy was a member of the Board of Directors at Community Credit Union. Roy enjoyed many great summers he spent with family and friends at Kampwot on Maranacook Lake.

Roy is survived by the true love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Eleanor; his three sons and their wives, William and Denise Gove of Auburn, Michael and Susan Gove of Gardiner and Daniel and Nancy Gove of Lewiston; his nine grandchildren, Karen Gove and Shawn Jackson, John Gove and Elizabeth Gove, all of Auburn, William and Sheridan Gove of Freeport, Stacy and Matt Keene of Gardiner, Michael Gove Jr. and Ashley Bernard of Richmond, Normand Gove and his wife, Lindsay, of West Gardiner, Robin Littlefield of Portland and Jason Littlefield of Orlando, Fla.; and his 10 great-grandchildren.

Roy was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Verna Gove Drury.