Robert Whittier Tirrell

WELD – Robert Whittier Tirrell passed away on Sept. 18, 2025. Born in a blizzard on Dec. 18, 1938, to Muriel Foote and Hartley Tirrell, Robert was the youngest of three boys. He was born in Canton Pointe, where he attended grammar school, graduating from Canton High.

Growing up in a small rural town, Robert learned at a young age the skills which would define him. He grew up on a farm. Early morning chores made him an early riser. He often spoke of milking the cows, haying the fields, working on and repairing farm machinery with the help of his two brothers, Hartley and Lawrence, rather tirelessly.

From a very young age, Robert was an avid collector and tradesman. He was a self-proclaimed, self-taught antique dealer. He started his first business at 14 dealing in antique weapons.

As a man raising a young family, Robert had a prominent banking career working for The Federal Loan and Building Association in the 60’s. He later made a name for himself in advertising as President of Ad-Ventures Inc., in the 1970’s. During this time, he served on the board of The Portland Museum of Art and Portland School of Art (now MECA).

Soon his passion and expertise in antiques superseded his advertising knowledge. He opened Vintage Antiques in 1974 on Middle Street in Portland. Here he expanded his inventory to include oriental carpets. In 1984, he married the love of his life, Sharon Doucette, and had a son Alexander. They moved their growing business to their home on the farm in Falmouth in the summer of 1985. They called the farm “Hard Cider Farm” to honor Jim Plummer, the original owner who farmed the land during Prohibition, but was much more famous for his ability to make and sell hard cider. He and Sharon ran their family business proudly on Middle Road for 33 years.

Robert and Sharon retired in 2005 and moved to their slice of heaven in the Maine mountains on Center Hill Road in Weld, Maine. In retirement, Robert adopted his love for the woods and nature by hunting, planting an enormous raised bed vegetable garden, and haying his own fields with an antique tractor. He was an inherent collector of art, early glass, walking sticks, weaponry and books. He was proud of his extensive collection of antique tools and used them in woodworking. He had a proud love for genealogy. In retirement, he remained active in the community, always attending town meetings and even volunteering at Franklin Memorial Hospital. He was also a proud member of the Republican National Committee.

Robert leaves a legacy of storytelling and treasure hunting behind. He had such a love for people, he could make a stranger a friend in a single exchange. He also adored animals. His latest cat, Rocky, is a tribute to this.

Family was everything to Robert. Being a husband, father, and grandfather was clearly one of his greatest life joys. He will be missed most of all by those who called him a husband, a Dad, and of course, Papa. He lived his life with a smile, the most positive outlook, and a spirit to succeed that was humbling to all who knew and loved him. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Sharon Doucette, two daughters, Jessica Rainsford and husband Marc, their sons Luke and Sam, Ellen Greaves and her husband Arthur and her daughters, Emily and Chloe, Nicole Greaves, her husband Doc, and their children, Liam and Eva all of Pennsylvania: two sons, Daniel and Alexander Tirrell and his adopted daughters, Tammy Wyman and Elizabeth DelTorto Botting.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, parents, and his eldest son, Robert W. II, and first wife, Bernice Knox.

Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.