SOUTH HOPE — Arthur H. Staples, 93, died Friday, July 12, 2019 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Brewer in 1925, Arthur joined the Navy in 1944, at the age of 18. When WWII ended, he came back to Maine where he met and married Roberta Sylvester in 1946.

Arthur worked at R & R Lime Co., in Rockland, for 20 years, before returning to school, graduating from SMVTI in 1972. He spent several years at the City of Rockland as a Code Enforcement Officer before joining Whitman & Howard Engineering out of Massachusetts. He briefly worked as Superintendent for Consumer Water Co and finally finished his work career at BIW in Bath.

He found lifelong happiness when he met his wife, Roberta. He was a man of the a “Greatest Generation,” when true grit and determination brought success. He worked hard, always striving to improve. He especially
enjoyed the many post retirement years when he and Roberta wintered in Florida where they established many long lasting friendships. He was a good man and he lived a good life.

His wife of 72 years, Roberta M. Staples, died on June 3, 2019.

Arthur is survived by his daughter, Carol Staples of Thomaston; his son, Richard Staples and his wife Katharina of Rockland; his son, Bruce Staples and his wife Louise of Sydney; his daughter, Deborah Burns and her husband John of Camden; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a large extended family.

Family and friends are invited to an informal gathering Wednesday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon) at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchens Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

A private burial at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Civic Center Drive Cemetery) in Augusta will be held later.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center which is located on John Street in Camden. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 707, Rockport, Maine 04856.

To share a memory or condolence with the Staples family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are by Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.