1953 – 2014

BOSTON — Robert Irwin Penley, of Holden, died Thursday, July 3, in Boston, surrounded by his family, after a brave battle with melanoma.

Bob was born in Lewiston on April 19, 1953, a son of Charles Everett Penley and Pauline Breton Penley; he was the oldest of six. He grew up with an appreciation for the outdoors and for the importance of family.

Bob attended Edward Little High School, graduating in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1974 and master’s degree in 1979 from the University of Maine, where he was a brother of Phi Kappa Sigma.

Upon completion of his degrees, he began a career of computer and software system sales to municipal governments, first with Burroughs Corp., then Gemini Systems and, since 1989, with Trio Software Corp., a business he helped launch. He took great pride in his work and cherished the friendships he forged with the people he met across Maine.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Candis McKeown Penley; mother, Pauline Breton Penley; daughter, Sarah Penley; son, Eric Penley and his wife, Gina Veits Penley; brothers and sisters, William Penley and his wife, Patricia, Wayne Penley and his wife, Linda, Mary Penley, Katherine Adams and her husband, Mark, and Patrick Penley; and beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his father in 2005.

In addition to his family, Bob will be especially missed by his friends and neighbors at Beech Hill Pond, for whom he was always ready to lend a hand. His favorite things were campfires at the lake, bean suppers with the neighbors and building, expanding and constantly improving the family camp. He built a strong family and leaves behind a legacy of hard work and selflessness.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.