Obituary of Robert E. Parlee, Sr.

Brewer – Robert E Parlee Sr., passed away peacefully on November 10, 2023, at the age of 92.  He was born on May 29, 1931 at his family home in Brewer to the late John and Lillian (Hall) Parlee.

Robert, known to all as “Bob,” resided in Brewer his entire life, where he was the youngest of 7 children and attended Brewer schools.  He married his wife Elizabeth (McGuire) Parlee and together they raised 4 children, Robert Jr, Kathleen, Mary Ellen, and Mark.  Bob worked for 41 years as a Pressman at the Bangor Daily News and was very proud of the work he had done during his time there.  Bob was an extremely accomplished woodworker, and was an avid fisherman. He was a master of building handmade clocks and picnic tables, and was often regarded by his friends and family as the only man who could catch a fish in a mud puddle. 

Bob adored his grandchildren, Derek, Glenn, Ryan, Greg, Andy, Karen, Cooper, and Trevor.  He loved to sit and talk with them about their various careers and would relish in the details of the work they do.  Later in life he enjoyed spending time with friends at the local coffee shop where he would share the details of his loved one’s lives and the immense pride he had in all of them.  

Robert was predeceased by his parents John and Lillian Parlee, his brothers John, Frank, and William, his sisters Ruth, Christine, and Bernice, as well as his wife Elizabeth.  Robert is survived by his son Robert Jr., of Hudson, Florida, and his children Derek Parlee and wife Stephanie, of Dover-Foxcroft, and Karen Arrabal and husband Peter, of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter Kathleen Thomas and husband Travis, of Holden and their children Glenn Thomas, and wife Kimberly of Olympia, Washington, and Ryan Thomas, and wife Jenni of Kenduskeag; daughter Mary Ellen Pooler and husband Richard, of Hampden and their children Gregory Pooler and wife Stephanie of Carmel and Andrew Pooler and wife, Amanda of Lebanon, Maine; son Mark and wife Kimberly of Brewer and their children Cooper and Trevor of Brewer, as well as 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

Bob also shared a special bond with Georgia Southard of Brewer and Joseph Seeley of Brewer. Bob’s family would like to thank both of you for being such good friends to him.

A graveside service held at 11 AM Monday, November 20,^, 2023 at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Brewer. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer. Messages and memories may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.

Grampy, you will be missed beyond measure. Thank you for all the lessons, the laughs, the smiles and the tears. This world was a better place with you in it, and the void from you leaving will never be filled.