PORTAGE LAKE — John F. Robertson, 78, died at his home while surrounded by family and friends on March 13, 2016 following a short illness. John, born on September 4, 1937, was the son of the late Donald and Christina (Hisco) Robertson of Woodland. John married his high school sweetheart, Wilza (Kelley) Robertson in 1956, as she pre-deceased him in March 2015 after 58 years of marriage.
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| John F. Robertson |
John joined the ranks of the Maine Warden Service in the fall of 1962, retiring at the rank of Sergeant in 1985. He had a very distinguished career with the Maine Warden Service and was chosen as Maine’s first Warden of the Year in 1975. He was also chosen by his peers as a Maine Legendary Game Warden in 2004. John also served as the armorer for the Warden Service, even for several years after his retirement. John was also a very well respected auto mechanic before, during and after his years with the Maine Warden Service and saved the Warden Service a great deal of money over the years by doing mechanic work on state issued vehicles, snowmobiles and outboard motors.
John operated Robertson Guiding Service from 1985 up until the time of his death. He guided hunters, fishermen and took people on river trips. During those years, he made many lasting friends and created lots of cherished memories. John also operated an automotive repair business and was a very well-known gun smith during his retirement years. John also repaired and rebuilt cedar canoes. He was a life member of the NRA, the Maine Guides Association and the Maine Trappers Association. He also belonged to the Aroostook County Chapter of the Maine Trappers Association, the National Trappers Association, the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club, and the Aroostook County Conservation Association.
John was also a member of the Portage Lake Fire Department for many years and, in that capacity, also worked with the Maine Forest Service fighting wild fires, sometimes in other states. John was also a judge for the Maine Skull and Antler Club and was also the “Ice Out” judge at Portage Lake for many years.
John is survived by his two sons, Dan Robertson and his wife Tamra of Woodland and Allen Robertson of Portage and his fiancé Christine Bowden. John is also survived by four grandchildren, Seth Robertson and his wife Susie of Massachusetts, Emily Dyer and her husband Marshal of Woodland, Ian Robertson and his wife Jessica of Presque Isle and Sean Robertson also of Presque Isle. John is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Lucas John Robertson of Massachusetts and an unborn great-grandson, who is due in June, of Woodland. John is also survived by his sister Nina Brown and her husband Gerry of Fort Worth, Texas. John is also survived by friends too numerous to even begin to name here.
Friends may visit with the family from noon until time of services Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Ashland District School, 180 Presque Isle Rd., Ashland. A funeral service, co-officiated by Pastor Ellen Cleaves and Reverend Otto Palmer will be held at 2:00 p.m. Following the services all are invited to a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at the Portage Lake Town Office, 20 School St., Portage. Interment will be beside his wife at the Evergreen Cemetery in Caribou.
The Robertson family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Aroostook, Pines Health and also John’s large network of friends for the excellent care and for the support and assistance given to them during this very trying time. In lieu of flowers friends may donate to Camp North Woods, a conservation camp sponsored by the Maine Warden Service. IFW Camp North Woods, 284 State St., SHS 41 Augusta, Maine 04333 attn. Brittany Humphrey. Arrangements by the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
