Obituary of Robert C. Geagan

Robert Crockett Geagan, 91, of Dedham, ME, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Born on May 20, 1933, in Bangor, ME, Robert was the son of Frederick and Arline (Crockett) Geagan. He graduated from John Bapst High School in 1951, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maine in 1958, followed by a Master’s in Education in 1961.

Robert married Ann Marie Hartery of Brewer on February 7, 1959, and together they spent 65 years of marriage, filled with love, laughter, and plenty of affectionate bickering. After earning his Master’s degree, Robert began his teaching career at Hampden Academy in Hermon, ME. In the mid 1960s, he and his family moved to Manchester, CT, where Robert worked as a guidance counselor before becoming the Vice Principal at Hall High School in West Hartford, CT. He retired on August 19, 1994, after a distinguished career in education.

A true Renaissance type, Robert enjoyed tending to his beloved rose garden, refinishing and restoring furniture, traveling, and visiting museums and car shows. He was an accomplished piano player and would often tickle the ivories of his Steinway piano. He and Ann cherished their trips to the mountains of Vermont, where they took their grandson, Matthew Varsell, skiing every winter weekend. They also enjoyed spending summers at the family camp on Phillips Lake where they eventually retired. Post-retirement, Robert also worked seasonally for many years at the welcome center at Acadia National Park.

Robert was an avid reader, never far from a book, and often fondly reminisced about his childhood hours spent exploring the Bangor Public Library. In his later years, he became a regular at the Mary Cheney Library in Manchester and the family is especially grateful to the Brewer Public Library for providing the perfect books for him when travel became difficult. Always generous, he and Ann hosted many international students over the years, as well as opening their home to anyone in need.

Robert is survived by his devoted wife, Ann (Hartery) Geagan, as well as his children: Jeffery R. Geagan and his spouse Phyllis of Orland, ME, and The Villages, FL; Melissa A. Geagan of Hebron, CT; and Julie A. Geagan-Chevez and her spouse Jose Chevez of Bangor, ME. His grandchildren include Eveyn Leach, Matthew Varsell, Melissa Baker, Jeffery Geagan II., Leo Geagan-Chevez, Phoebe Geagan, Finn Geagan-Chevez, and Jude Geagan-Chevez, along with an ever growing number of  great and great-great-grandchildren, as well as all their loving nieces, nephews and extended family.  He is also survived by his sisters Lorraine McKay (Bangor) and Patricia Lefebvre (Denver). Robert was preceded in death by his daughter Heather C. Geagan, his parents, and his brothers John and Ronald Geagan, as well as his sister Roseanna.

In accordance with his wishes, Robert will be cremated and his ashes interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery near the family plot. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Robert’s memory to the Brewer Public Library, 100 S Main St, Brewer, ME 04412.

Robert will be fondly remembered for his deep love of family, his infectious and mischievous sense of humor, his passion for learning, and his unwavering curiosity about the world. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.