Robert W. McGeachey
February 07, 2009
Cape Elizabeth

CAPE ELIZABETH--Robert William McGeachey, 59, of Cape Elizabeth, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on February 7th, 2009, with his adoring family by his side. Born on June 15, in 1949 and raised in Portland, Maine, Bob was the son of Edward J. and Yvette (Bonneau) McGeachey. After graduating in 1968 from Portland High School, Bob spent a post-graduate year at North Yarmouth Academy before earning a degree in Forestry at Paul Smith's College. On July 31st, 1974, Bob married the love of his life Coleen Teresa Barry and welcomed her son Jeffrey Thoreck into his life as his own. After residing briefly in Portland, Bob, Coleen, and their children settled into their home on Orchard Road in Cape Elizabeth where they have lived and raised their three boys for the past thirty two years. After the birth of his first grandchild in 1997, Bob became affectionately known to family, friends, and the community of Cape Elizabeth as 'Bubba'.

As Bob's family grew it seems so did his spirit. With each new grandchild he seemed to more fully inhabit his 'Bubba' persona. It was a rare sight to see him without a child – or as was often the case, many children – hanging off his shoulders, standing on his head, or engulfed in laughter, clenching tenaciously to his legs. These privileges were not – it should be noted – reserved to his biological grandkids, but Bob became 'Bubba' to all the kids who came to know him, and each child, in turn, was quick to learn that 'Bubba' was for climbing on.

His long career as an arborist and landscape gardener brought Bob daily happiness and he built his own company, McGeachey Tree and Landscaping. It was through his work that Bob became a staple personality in the community. He was dedicated to his many customers, a frequent personality along the roads in Cape Elizabeth, and always a pleasant encounter if your trip to the dump coincided with his. Bob loved to share his wealth of knowledge with family or friends and was forever offering his skills free of charge if someone needed a tree felled, a shrub transplanted, or a tool lent. Bob loved his work. He never did it for the money, but for the joy it brought him.

Bob understood that this life is much simpler than most of us often make it. He understood that when you plant a seed it would never grow without the requisite love and attention. Without caring hands and nurturing affection nothing can fulfill its potential; growing into something beautiful and complete. He saw this in nature, lived it in his work, and what he built on this earth was a family and a network of friends that was fully embraced with his caring and love.

Bob was attractive in the most profound sense of the word. He was irresistible to all that knew him; his neighbors, his friends, and on occasion, even the unfortunate fish. When he was a kid, as his brother Eddie tells it, he'd put his hands into the stream and fish would come right into them. He let them go, of course. For those privileged to have known Bob in life, there were none not joyously captured by his infectious (if not mischievous) smile. He was giving of his kindness and unconditional with his love.

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."
–Rachel Carson (American biologist & ecologist, 1907-1964)

Bob was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Coleen; son Jeffrey Thoreck and wife Courtney, son Jason McGeachey and his girlfriend Anna Lombard of Cape Elizabeth, and son Joshua McGeachey and girlfriend Tara McLarney of Boston, Mass. His four beloved grandchildren Griffin, Connor, Owen, and Julia Thoreck all of Cape Elizabeth. Bob is also survived by his brother Edward McGeachey and his wife Shirley of Saco, his sister Margaret Welch and husband Chris of Westbrook, and sister Michele McGeachey and husband Greg Feeney of Portland. His nieces and nephews, Amy McGeachey Bond, Cory McGeachey, Amanda McGeachey, Anna and Patrick Welch, Marissa Carney, Kara Miller, and Wesley and Renee Myhaver. Bob also leaves behind a long time and loving friend Dr. Joan Kelly of Cape Elizabeth.

The family would like to express their immense gratitude for the tireless, courageous, and loving care provided by the Cardio Thoracic Team at Maine Medical Center.

Visiting hours will be 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church on Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Maine Medical Center in honor of the Cardio Thoracic Intensive Care Unit.