Royce Adin Knowles Obituary (1932 - 2011)

Royce Adin Knowles, age 79, of Skowhegan, died at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor on December 5, 2011. Born in Bingham on June 3, 1932, he was the son of Ethel Cooley Knowles and Roy Knowles. He married Roberta Snell on August 1, 1953 in Lancaster, N.H. Royce graduated from Bingham High School in 1950 and Farmington State Teachers’ College in 1954. He received his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Maine in Orono and an MED +30 from UMO and Colby College. Stationed in Italy, he served in the US Army from 1954-1956. Royce was principal at Skowhegan Junior High for twenty years and a teacher for ten. After retirement he worked at Cross Hardware. Up to the time of his illness he continued to work at Quinn Hardware in Skowhegan. Through the years he owned Greenwood Lawn & Garden Center, held part-time jobs at A&P and Sears, and sold World Book Encyclopedias. He served on the Board of Directors for the Skowhegan Fair Association, was a life member and worked as Superintendent of Halls for many years. He was a member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3198. Royce was a thirty-year member and past Commander of the American Legion Post#16 as well as a past Commander at the County and District level. He served as Department Judge Advocate for several years. Often acting as Parade Marshall, and driving his jeep “Royce Rolls” he participated in planning the Memorial Day parades and conducting the program at the Veterans’ monument. He was a member of Forty and Eight. Royce was especially proud of his work for the Maine Veterans’ Homes and served on the Board of Trustees for many years. Among the numerous awards and commendations he received from various organizations, he was given the Americanism Award from the American Legion Department of Maine. He was honored to aid and serve all those who served in the military. He served on the Board of Trustees of Bloomfield Academy. He was a long time member of Keystone Lodge #80 in Solon and a Dad Advisor of De Molay for Boys for ten years in Skowhegan. He was a member of the Somerset Retired Teachers, Maine Education Association-Retired and National Education Association-Retired. Royce was a dedicated member of the Skowhegan Federated Church and happily served in any capacity he could. He is survived by his loving wife, Roberta; his three children, Robert and wife, Renee of Skowhegan, David and wife, Andrea of Skowhegan, and Carol Bialy and husband, Alex of St. Remy, NY; eight grandchildren, Robert Knowles II, Logan Hurlbutt, Nena Knowles, Nicole Knowles Osgood, Derek Knowles, Desiree Weeks, Jesse Strout, and Danica Strout; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, including special nieces, Connie Arsenailt and Bunnie Fistick; sisters-in-law Lephie Collins and Pearl Carl; and family friend, Paul Bubier. He was pre-deceased by his brothers, Ronald Carl and wife, Bertha, Bernard Carl, and Harold Collins. Royce deeply loved his wife and family. Husband, parent, soldier, educator, he was a friend to man; always ready to do the very best job he could. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, at the Federated Church with Rev. Mark Tanner officiating. There will be a reception following the service in Tewksbury Hall. A committal service will take place at the Bingham Village Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Skowhegan Federated Church, PO Box 504, Skowhegan, Maine 04976. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.smartandedwardsfh.com