Robert Porell

WESTBROOK — Robert John Paul Porell, 81, of Westbrook, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

A lifelong resident of Westbrook, he was born the son of John Paul and Bernadette (Lefebvre) Porell. Bob owned and managed property in Westbrook throughout his lifetime. He also managed his mother’s affairs and was her loving caretaker during several years of her illness.

In his youth, he was a deputy sheriff, and while patrolling Frye’s Island on Sebago Lake one evening, he performed a rescue of a family and visitors from a burning boat.

He was larger than life and had a great sense of humor. Bob was a loving father and grandfather to his three daughters and all his grandchildren, no matter how far away they were.

He is survived by daughters, Sheryl Pike of Houston, Texas, Nicole Porell of Naples and Karin Peterson of Kingwood, Texas; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol McCurry of Westbrook and Jacqueline Garner of Hudson, Fla.; three nephews and two nieces.

Bob enjoyed many years together with his longtime friend Sue Wescott of Buxton. He enjoyed rollerskating, dancing and playing cribbage with his many friends. He also enjoyed bowling, playing pool, tennis, racquetball, canoeing and snowmobiling.

He enjoyed doing genealogy searches, taking multiple trips with his sisters Carol, Jackie and her husband Jim, as well as his longtime friend Sue, to gather family information and history to construct the family tree.

Visiting hours were Monday, March 6, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church Street, Westbrook. Spring burial will be in St. Hyacinth Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at: blaisandhayfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.