SPRUCE HEAD - Robert “Bob” Arthur Milikowski, 90, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2014, after a long illness.

Bob was born October 3, 1923 in Manchester, CT to Charles and Theresa Braun Milikowski.

He is survived by his daughter Martha Delahunty; his sons, Robert M. Milikowski, Eric Milikowski and his wife Shannon; grandchildren, James Milikowski and his wife Jessica; Erin Walpole and her husband Nate, Austin Mack, Brooke Milikowski; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, June and Raymond Pokoski of Camden, and his sister Jeanne Wicker. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Margaret Milikowski, and his brother William Milikowski.

He graduated from Manchester High School and then trained as an aircraft master mechanic at aeronautics school in New York. He was employed by American Airlines during WWII and also at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. He returned to Manchester, CT to operate the family business, a flower and gift shop founded by his parents in 1923. He became one of the area’s most respected florists. He also owned another flower and gift shop, Bollerer's Flowers, in West Hartford, CT.

Beyond being a successful businessman, Bob enjoyed many things and had many talents. While living in NYC in his early 20’s, he was a drummer in a jazz band which seeded his lifelong passion for jazz. He enjoyed almost any sport and was an avid golfer and won the
Manchester Country Club Championship in 1965. One of his favorite pastimes was watching the Indianapolis 500 in person. He loved his dog, Kelley, and took her with him wherever he could. He had a deep appreciation for nature and often captured the beauty of nature in his photography. In 1996 he traveled to Peru to see the Andes Mountains. Much to his delight, he retired to his home on the beautiful coast of Maine in 1989, where he enjoyed years of sightseeing, boating, fishing and taking in glorious sunsets over Wheeler Bay. When he wasn’t on the water, he was “playing” in the woods, which meant clearing and grooming his property. He thoroughly loved living in Maine and the good people he knew there.

The family is forever grateful to his longtime caregivers, Steve Griffin and Jacqueline Fuesz, for their amazing compassion and devotion. They would also like to acknowledge the Rackliff family of Spruce Head, for their heartwarming friendship and helpfulness through the years.

A memorial service was held for Robert on July 12, 2014 at Saint James Church in Manchester, CT.

Please consider making a charitable donation in honor of Robert to: Maine Audubon Society, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105in honor of Robert.

Local arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.