Robert Clarke Morong Sr.

6/19/1931 – 6/18/2026

Ninety-four remarkable years and one day shy of his 95th birthday, Robert Clarke Morong Sr. surrounded by his family, peacefully left this world to meet his maker. Born on June 19, 1931, in Ipswich, MA, to his parents Mildred (Reed) and Raymond Morong. They had four sons, Bob being the oldest, followed by Frank (1933), Carroll (1934) and Marvin (Porky) (1936). The family moved to Maine in 1943 and settled in South Portland. At the age of 17 he left to go join the U.S. Navy and was given a medical discharge shortly after. At 18 he moved to NY and discovered his passion for the tree industry, which ultimately became his life long career. Being a licensed arborist he worked for Bartlett Tree for a few years and then came back to South Portland and worked at Goodall Tree Company for 20 years. In 1958, at the age of 27, he married Joanne Gordon Lindsay and became a step-father to her two sons, Timothy and Michael. Together they had 4 children; Margaret (Peggy), Robert Jr. (Bobby), Jodi and Lori. At 40 years old, he and Joanne started their own business, Morong Tree and Landscaping. Bob spent the next 30+ years working in the Greater Portland area doing Tree and Landscaping work. Both sons worked alongside him to help create a successful family business. Bob was best known for his easy-going nature. His personality was one of a kind. He had the uncanny ability to make anyone laugh with perfectly timed comebacks. He was fair, gentle, patient and highly regarded in the tree industry. Many of his customers became loyal clients and often invited him over for tea after he retired. During the winter months, he would deliver oil for Harris Oil Company, and it wasn’t unusual to hear WBLM blasting in the cab. He was the “cool” dad. To his family he was known as Dad, Robert, Uncle Bob, Tup, Bumpa, Gramps, Grampa and Big Bop. In the late 80’s and early 90’s Bob and Joanne would drive to FL in their Motor Home and spend the winter months with various family members. In 1996 he lost Joanne, at age 66, to a battle with lung cancer. On his 73rd birthday he married Carolyn Darling. Finally retiring at the age of 75, he and Carolyn started spending winters in New Port Richey, Fl and eventually lived there year-round. In March of 2025, his daughters brought him back home to Maine and he spent the next fifteen months living with his son, Bob Jr. Being reunited with him brought the family the greatest joy. Bob handled aging with such grace and dignity, often sporting his “Old Fart” cap and delightfully cheesy sweatshirts proudly. In his final months, he was especially thankful for time spent with family and friends. He loved to give and receive hugs and always made sure he let them know how much he loved them. He will be missed greatly by so many.

Bob was predeceased by many loved ones: Michael Lindsay, Raymond Morong, Mildred (Reed) Morong, Carroll Morong, Marvin Morong, Margaret Morong, Ann (Linden) & Frank Morong. He is survived by Carolyn (Darling) Morong, Glenn Darling, Keith Darling, Mary Morong, Frances Morong, Timothy & Pat Lindsay, Robert Morong Jr & Donna Morong, Jodi (Morong) Turner and Lori (Morong) Berry, many nieces and nephews, fifteen grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Cindy Boivin, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Clark, The Adult Day Program at the Barron Center and the staff at Andwell Health Partners/Hospice of Southern Maine, for the loving care they provided.

Visiting hours will be 12 p.m.-2 p.m., with a memorial service at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation. https://www.arborday.org