ROCKLAND — Horace R. Grover, Jr., 74, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at the Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport after an extended illness.

Born in Rockland, December 22, 1944, he was one of six children of Horace R., Sr. and Margarete Millay Grover.

At 4.5 years old, he began his education, attending the one room school house on Benner Hill in Rockland. He ultimately graduated Rockland High school in 1962.

Horace first employment was with Keating's Transmissions in Rockland.

In 1966, Horace entered the U.S. Army. Upon completion of basic training in Virginia Beach, he was assigned to the amphibian unit loading and unloading ships. He finished his tour of duty in Munich Germany. He was assigned to gate duty on the base as a security guard and received his Honorable Discharge in November 1968.

Returning home to Rockland, Horace began employment with Fisher Engineering. He worked his way up from packing snow plow parts to welding which he did for 17 years. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration, he became a buyer/purchaser. At the time of his retirement Horace was the longest tenured employee at Fisher Engineering/Douglas Dynamics, with 47 years, 7 months and 9 days total employment.

In 1968, he met his wife, Kay, and they raised three daughters, Denise, Stacey and Kristy. He enjoyed spending time with his girls camping, fishing, playing sports, and just being with them. He also loved being a grandfather and great-grandfather and enjoyed quality time spent with his family.

Horace loved reading, playing pool and fast pitch men's softball.

He volunteered with the Boosters Club and Parents group. He was a member of the SAD 5 school board for seven years, and since 1988 was a member of the City of Rockland, Zoning Board of Appeals, where he was chairman for most of those years. He was a Life Member of the Rockland lodge of Elks, No, 1008, and assisted with the book about the history of the club.  

Horace and his wife attended the West Rockport Baptist Church.

He will be missed by his family and friends as he was a kind and loving person who always had a smile on his face. He had a great sense of humor, was a great story teller and also enjoyed telling jokes and engaging with everyone.

A celebration of Horace’ life will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  

The Rev. David English will officiate.

A reception will follow at the funeral home’s 104 Limerock reception center.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to United Midcoast Charities, 87 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843.

Spring interment will be at Achorn Cemetery, Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Horace’ family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.