FARMINGDALE – Robert R. Miville, 77, of Farmingdale, entered eternal rest on Sunday Dec. 4, 2022, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. He reluctantly succumbed to prostate cancer after a valiant 3-year fight.

Bob was born in Lewiston on March 6, 1945, to Joseph Alphonse Honorius and Laurentia Patricia Miville. He was an adorable and exceptionally curious little boy. Beginning in childhood, he was outgoing, sociable, very likable; some might say “a charmer.” He was sensible and knew right from wrong, but he was a little bit naughty, loved being in the spotlight, and could never resist a dare.

Bob graduated from Gardiner Area High School in 1964, then enlisted in the United States Army. He served for three years in Kaiserslautern, Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in 1967. He married and started his family soon after.

Bob was the embodiment of “old school” work ethic. He had perfectionistic tendencies and worked tirelessly on projects at his home, his business, his children’s’ homes and businesses, as well as contributions of his time to various individuals, causes and projects. He was a handyman who loved to “putter” in his garage and around his yard, and he especially enjoyed the numerous building projects he did with his brother Norman.

Bob enjoyed being the President of the Gardiner Booster’s Club while his children were in High School. In his ‘Lighten Up” project of 1990, he facilitated the transport, construction, placement and implementation of light poles at Gardiner Area High School’s Hoch Field despite enormous push-back. He was impassioned and relentless and spent hundreds of hours of his personal and work time to create what the Town of Gardiner is enjoying to this day, Friday night football under the lights.

Bob worked with his siblings at his parents’ restaurant, Pat’s Diner, (known today as Dave’s Diner) as a teenager. He always had a business mind and a creative, entrepreneurial spirit. His willingness to take calculated risks eventually gave him the courage to step away from the security and predictability of the status quo. In 1980, after working his way up to Director of Personnel at Progressive Distributors Inc., of Winthrop, a job he loved, Bob embraced the opportunity to take a leap and become co-owner of Tisdale Auto Parts in Chelsea. He was 35 years old and had no prior auto recycling experience. But he was extremely organized, had gained invaluable business experience at PDI and became an avid student of his trade. By 1982, he had acquired sole ownership and began the transformation that would set his salvage yard apart. He disliked the industry nickname of “junkyard” and made it his mission to change the face of his establishment to support his vision of an “automotive recycling facility.”

In 1986 Bob built a new dismantling building and his eldest child Lisa graduated high school. He worked simultaneously to erect a new radiator shop in 1990 while he was lighting up the football field, and his daughter Melanie graduated high school. Daughter Lisa joined the business in 1991, and a new showroom was built in 1992. Bob’s hard work was recognized when he was awarded First Place Winner of the Improvement and Beautification contest by the Automotive Dismantlers and Recyclers Association in Reno, Nevada in 1993.

Immediately after becoming sole owner of Tisdale Auto Parts, Bob became active in the Automotive Recyclers Association. In the early nineties, he co-founded the Maine Automotive Recyclers Association with his dear friend and business counterpart Kerbon Littlefield, of Dexter. Bob served 3 terms as President, and his daughter Lisa went on to serve 5 terms as Treasurer. He was a founding member of the United Recyclers Group and worked with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection on an educational video about mercury switch removal in automobiles. In 1995, Bob’s son Gabe graduated high school and immediately entered the business. He became the most recognizable face behind the counter due to his striking resemblance to his father.

Bob eventually renamed his business Aable Auto Parts. He continued to evolve his practices to align with the era of technology and was successfully in business for forty years. His children Lisa and Gabe made their careers at Aable Auto for thirty years and twenty-five years, respectively, until the business was eventually sold in 2020.

Bob was a humble man who believed in the value of education. He enrolled in evening college courses while managing his new business and having a wife and three young children at home but found it nonfeasible. Instead, he pursued education through industry seminars, conferences and the Dale Carnegie courses from which he would often quote. Bob was too humble to have ever said this himself, but he truly was a self-made man; the resources he used toward his accomplishments resided solely within himself. He continues to be a source of hope and positive inspiration to many people, including the ambitious and business savvy who desire a non-collegiate path.

Bob was happiest surrounded by his family and friends. He and Jeannie enjoyed many camping trips and adventures with his brother Donny and wife Bonnie. He loved social gatherings of any kind and was often the life of the party. He was fun, spontaneous and funny, and he loved making people laugh. He adored his children and was invested in their happiness and success. When he met Jeannie twelve years ago, his love and affection quickly and easily extended to her children, extended family, and friends. He was a love bug, a ray of sunshine. Even after his diagnosis and up to his dying day, he radiated a vibe of gratitude and positivity. In his final days, he consoled us all with his gifts of humor and optimism.

Bob leaves behind his adoring and doting wife Gloria Jean Miville, (“Jeannie”), with whom he was absolutely smitten; sister Claudette (Russell) Haskell of Pittston, brothers Norman Miville and partner JoAnne Mooney of Gardiner, Paul Miville of Ohio, and Donald (Bonnie) Miville of Auburn. He is also survived by his blended family of children, those he proudly shares with his former spouse Carolyn “Kay” Miville of Farmingdale, Lisa (Mark) Mitchell of Gardiner, Melanie Marston of Farmingdale, and Gabriel (Audra) Miville of Augusta; and those he enthusiastically gained by loving their mother, Jeffrey (Christine) Arps of Westfield, Mass., Beth (James) Arps and partner Robert Lockhart of Monmouth, and Jennifer Arps of Brunswick. Bob leaves behind his grandchildren Nathan and Adam Mitchell of Gardiner, Georgianna and Lily Marston of Farmingdale, Carter and Oliver Miville of Augusta, Ashley (Mike) Fernandez of North Branford, Conn., Thomas and Joseph Arps of Monmouth; and great-grandchildren Lindsey and Lilly Fernandez of North Branford, Conn. Last but not least, Bob leaves behind to us all a symbol of his love, light, energy and affection, the two most adorable fuzz puppies – one with his personality and one with Jeannie’s, Whitey and Tanner Miville.

It goes without saying that Bob leaves behind many friends old and new, too numerous to list, you know who you are.

Bob was predeceased by his father Joseph Alphonse Honorius Miville, mother Laurentia Patricia Miville; beloved sister and brother-in-law Geraldine and Henry Marceau and brother-in-law Russell (Claudette) Haskell; son-to-be James Arps; and Bob and Jeannie’s precious Pomeranian-Papillon, Murphy.

Bob and his family extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Dr. Brian Haney and his staff at New England Cancer Center in Topsham where he made many friends; the physicians, nurses and aides at Mid-Coast Hospital of Brunswick who made each stay the very best it could be; and the staff of Hospice, who assisted us in making him most comfortable in his last earthly days. A special thank you to “Bethann,” Bob’s own private nurse who spent many an overnight with Jeannie at home and during trips to the hospital, providing care and comfort to them both.

Bob’s visitation will be in the Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave Gardiner on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be a Prayer service at 2 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

Arrangements are in the care of the Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations in Bob’s memory may be made to:

Snell Foundation New England Cancer Center

100 Campus Dr. Suite 108

Scarborough, ME 04074

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