Robert R. Boisvert

Robert Boisvert, 73, born in Biddeford and residing in Sanford, passed away Thursday March 8 of renal failure.He had Indian heritage on both sides of his family tree. His mother was of Abenaki descent as was his paternal grandmother who came to Maine from Quebec. He also had French roots and served on an advisory board that promoted Franco-American culture.He was a familiar sight on the streets of Sanford with his cowboy hat and beads."Bo" led an amazing and interesting life. He served his country in the Korean War, studied painting, worked and studied under a nationally known photographer, worked in the fashion industry, drew sketches for newspaper advertisements and was a culinary chef in Boston for many years. He's drunk coffee with Norman Rockwell and studied culinary arts under the man who was chef for President Kennedy. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, sports, hiking, archery and spending time with his family. He was an avid reader. Bo was in the final stages of writing his memoirs of his life in Japan.Robert was a US Army veteran of the Korean War who served as a combat engineer, and was a reservist for 16 years. After leaving the military, he worked and studied photography under nationally recognized photographer Warren Key Vantine in his Boston studio.Ron Prevoir, past president of the Art Gild of the Kennebunks and the coordinator for the town of Shapleigh arranged for a town hall show of his photography. "I met him at a powwow I was participating in" Prevoir says. "I was impressed. His photography is beautiful. He's learned a great deal about light." A painter as well, Boisvert studied under an Austrian, Edith Belrose who taught him Flemish and Venetian techniques. He once owned his own restaurant, and while at the Parker House once cooked for the son and daughter of King Hussein of Jordan (not that he mentioned this himself, a friend said so.) One day he was having coffee and reading a newspaper in a busy coffee shop. There were no seats available except one as his table and so a man asked if he could sit down. "Go ahead" Robert said, not looking up. When he did, he recognized Norman Rockwell. The two had a conversation about art, naturally. "He asked me who my favorite artist was and I said Ben Stahl." Rockwell said "I am an artist, but Ben Stahl in the master."He was predeceased by a daughter Robin Lea Boisvert and by a brother David Boisvert, Sr.Robert is survived by his wife, Hope (Ruggles) Boisvert, daughters Deborah Gallant, Nancy and Eddie Sullivan, Michelle and Ronald Levesque, Tammy and Paul Theberge, grandchildren Jennifer and Billy Bruno, Jacolyn Gallant, Sheena Sullivan, Eddie Sullivan, Dominic Levesque, Nickolas Levesque, Corey Leach, Cameron Theberge, Allexius Theberge, 7 great granddaughters, 3 great grandsons, brother Brenton and Dora Allaire, sister Delina Allaire, 5 nieces, 3 nephews, several aunts uncles, cousins, and his best friend Ron Prevoir.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the Holy Family Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. Burial will follow in the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale. All are then invited to a reception at the Heald Family Center, 574 Main Street, Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.