Robert "Bob" DiBiase

Robert “Bob” DiBiase, 75, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2018 at his home in Florida after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born in Portland to Kathleen (‘Kay”) and Dominic Richard “Dick” DiBiase. He served in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and later became a master plumber. He retired from the Portland School Department in 2009 and then moved to the Villages in Florida. In his later years, he enjoyed hiking, pickleball, and golf.

What was most important to him was his family, He was proud to be a husband and father. He married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn McGivray, in 1961 and eventually settled in Westbrook, where together they raised four children, Ed, Dom, Craig, and Krista. They were married for 31 years before Carolyn passed away in March, of 1993. Particular pastimes they enjoyed together were bowling, dancing, and house-parties with neighbors (especially costume parties). During the early years of their marriage, Bob would work two full time jobs and at one point a third job on top of that in order to provide for his family. Still as his children grew he always seemed to find time for them with a game of catch on the lawn, some hoops in the driveway, or a swim in the pool. When he became a grandfather, he was affectionately known as “Papa” which transformed into “Pupah” after he got a vanity plate with this somewhat ambiguous spelling. A good laugh over this was shared by the family at the time, but despite the spelling we all knew what it meant and it meant a lot to his grandchildren, who were all part of Pupah’s Posse.

After Carolyn passed away he met his current wife, Kathy. They were married almost 19 years. With Kathy, Bob took up Hiking. They explored many of the trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, and local trails near their home in Gorham, ME at the time. They also adventured out to Arizona for a trip to the Grand Canyon, as well as taking an Alaskan cruise. When Bob could no longer hike, play pickleball, or take trips, he still enjoyed getting out for a walk with Kathy, who cared for him with great compassion through his final days.

He will be remembered as a kind man, with a good sense of humor, a ready smile and never a bad word for anyone (except maybe a politician). He was very detailed oriented and actually enjoyed paying the bills, record keeping, and doing his own taxes. Not the tallest man on the street (5’5 1/2’), he would tell his friends and family that he was five foot five…and don’t forget the half! And if you ever needed help, he would be there readily to lend a helping hand.

Bob is survived by his wife Kathy, of the villages, FL; his children, Edward DiBiase and his wife  Dawn, of Gorham; Dominic DiBiase and his wife Janet, of Westbrook; Craig DiBiase and his wife Melanie, of Westbrook; Krista Corrin, and her husband Laren, of Portland, His brothers Richard DiBiase and Ronald DiBiase, and sister, Ursula Hildebrand. He is also survived by two stepchildren, seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Visiting Hours will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 11:00 am at the funeral home.

If anyone wishes to make a donation in his honor, we suggest Strive, 28 Foden Rd., South Portland, Maine 04106.

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