RANGELEY – He was born Robert Charles Griscom Jr. on December, 16 ,1937, to Robert Charles Griscom Sr., and Grace Griscom (Williams) of Fairview, New Jersey, a section of Camden.
Bob attended Yorkship school as a youngster, and graduated in 1955 from Camden High. In 1957 his marriage to Frances Megee of Gloucester, New Jersey began, and lasted 39 wonderful years. Fran passed on in 1996.
Bob worked various jobs up through high school, when his uncle Ray Williams arranged an interview for him at New York Shipbuilding Corporation. A short stint as an office boy led to a 26-year career as a ship design draftsmen, for New York Ship, Consultec Incorporated, and finally Sun Ship Building and Dry Dock in Chester Pennsylvania. Bob drafted many ship designs including the U.S.S. Kittyhawk, which was deployed during the most recent conflict in the Persian Gulf. Bob’s former supervisor, who still called him every year on Christmas Eve, once said “Bobby Griscom was the finest draftsmen I ever had at New York Ship.”
In 1981 he and his family moved from Camden, New Jersey to a small town in Maine called Rangeley, a place he thought to be the best in the world. He always said he felt warmly received from the beginning, even though he was a “flatlander.”
Bob’s first job was for a local home builder called G&L Haley. Shortly thereafter he began his career as a real estate broker for the Noyes Agency. He then spent 14 years at the Morton & Furbish real estate agency, while also co-owning Four Season’s Rental Agency. The last 10 years of his life he served as the Code Enforcement Officer of Rangeley, as well as the Plumbing Inspector.
Aside from his immediate jobs, Bob was always involved in something, and there was rarely a time when he wasn’t busy. Serving as grandmaster of the Free Masons in the Kemankeag Lodge, number 213, he also was affiliated with the Kora Temple Shriners. Aside from that, he served two terms as the president of the Rotary Club, as well as two terms in the secretary position. In positions directly related to town business, he was formerly the chair of the Board of Selectman, Planning board, a member of the Zoning Appeals Board, the Rangeley Water District, the Ordinance Committee, health officer, E911 Officer, Sewer Commissioner, Volunteer Fireman, and proudly a member of the Veterans Memorial Committee. With the support of family and friends, he was twelve years the president of the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club, which contributed immensely to the tourism, and economy of the town.
In his spare time Bob enjoyed many activities. He loved the outdoors, and particularly enjoyed being in the woods. Hunting deer with his son and grandson was perhaps his most coveted yearly event. Bob was an accomplished marksman with both firearms and bow and arrow. He firmly believed in the right to bear arms. Growing up in the era of the 1950s, he also loved hot rods, which led him to building his dream. That dream came in the form of a 1966 Chevy low rider truck, which won best in show at the Carlisle All Truck Nationals, in Carlisle P.A.
Among his many interests, Bob’s fondest memories were made around the table at family dinners. Bob could and would talk about anything. He believed that family was the most important earthly treasure, and loved his own tremendously. His greatest love, was for Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. As a Deacon in the Fairview United Methodist Church, he sometimes preached, and was active there for many years. In his final years, he was a member of the Rangeley Free Baptist Church, and found a spiritual love there that he perhaps had never known as a young Christian. It was his favorite place on Sundays, and a warm congregation where he felt completely at home.
Bob leaves a daughter, Julie Lee Shaffer, and her husband Gary Joseph Shaffer of Rangeley; a son, Brian Robert Griscom, and his wife Sarah Kate Griscom of Rangeley; he also leaves a sister, Robin Griscom Lane, and her husband Norman Lane of Millinocket; and a brother, David L. Griscom. His grandchildren are, Sarah Shaffer Gesualdi, and her husband Scott Gesualdi of Windham, Ethan Shaffer (his brother in Christ), and his wife Nancy E. Shaffer of Rangeley, and Forest, Orrin, and Joanie Mitchell all of Rangeley. He also leaves two great grandchildren, Ella and Lily Shaffer of Rangeley. Bob leaves his favorite Aunt Ellen Williams, of Westmont N.J.
You would be hard pressed to find a soul in the greater Rangeley area who had not intereacted in some way with Bob Griscom. Most nights, temperature not withstanding, one was likely to see him walking his big black dog Bear. He would say hello. Bob. A friendly man, a friend, a brother and a father. However one wishes to see him, Bob was of the finest. He drank his coffee black.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 28, 2010 from the Rangeley Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Wilson officiating, concluded by a Masonic Memorial Service by members of Kemankeag Masonic Lodge #213 AF and AM of Rangeley. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley and following the interment, the family will receive relatives and friends in the undercroft of the Rangeley Free Baptist Church where a luncheon will be held.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Rangeley Free Baptist Church Friday 6-8 p.m. Those who desire may make memorial contributions in Bob’s memory to the Kemankeag Lodge 213 Charity Fund, PO Box 905, Rangeley, Maine 04970 or to the Rangeley Free Baptist Church, PO Box 197, Rangeley, ME 04970 or to the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210.
Condolences and tributes may be shared with the family at www.wilesrc.com. Funeral services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, ME 04938.
