Title	Mr.
Last Name	Robbins
First Name	Paul
Middle Name
Maiden Name
Nick Name	Paulie
Place of Birth	Quincy, MA
Date of Birth	1951-04-05
Place of Death	Dexter, ME
Date of Death	2023-09-19
Publication	BDN 2023-09-22
Obituary	Dexter - Paul R. Robbins of Dexter, Maine, completed his work here on earth and started a new beginning on September 19, 2023, with his wife, Colleen; grandchildren, Seth and Bree Robbins; and close friend, Juli Kimball, by his side. Paul was born on April 5, 1951, in Quincy, MA, the oldest child of Richard Robbins and Doreen Chroniak Robbins. Paul was the life of the party and often got himself into mischief due to his fun-loving nature. Whether you knew him as Paul or "Paulie," you are bound to have recollections of one of many stories highlighting his crazy shenanigans. In 1970, one of his escapades led him to enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, CA. Throughout his life he told beloved stories of his army years. Following his discharge in 1974, he met his wife, Colleen, and the two started their lives together on the cliffs of the Pacific. Paul received his bachelor's degree in labor relations at Long Beach State University in 1982. He worked at the shipyards in Los Angeles Harbor and was active in the local unions. In 1985, he moved his family to Dexter, Maine, settling in Garland, where he and Colleen bought a 200 year old farmhouse and raised their family (along with the occasional pig and sheep). He earned a bachelor's degree in teaching from Husson University in 1988 and started teaching business education, first at Job Corp in Bangor, then in Jackman, Maine, where he spent several years at Forest Hills High School as Athletic Director, business teacher, and basketball coach. He was a successful girls' basketball coach guiding his teams to the Augusta Tournaments several years in a row. Once he moved away from Jackman, he was fortunate to recruit his replacement to the job and enjoyed many years watching Anthony Amero become a winning coach and Athletic Director. He eventually transitioned from public school and into the Maine prison system and completed his career at Charleston Correctional Center as the prison librarian. As someone who can't sit still for long, Paul secured his real estate license and guided several first-time home buyers through the home-buying process. Paul remained active in high school sports, particularly basketball, and spent February vacations at the basketball tournaments in Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. A highlight of his life was receiving recognition from the communities of Moose River and Jackman for his years of dedication to their high school basketball program. Paul is survived by his wife of 48 years, Colleen Robbins of Dexter; their children, Sarah Roberts and her husband, Sean, of Meredith, New Hampshire, and Kristine Robbins of Dexter; four beloved grandchildren, Seth and Bree Robbins of Dexter and Mason and Callie Roberts of Meredith, NH; two siblings, Carl Robbins and Lynn Lindval both of MA; several nieces, nephews and friends; two special uncles and their families, Jack and Paul Chroniak; and many close friends who came to visit with him through his last days. Paul was predeceased by his parents; and sister, Gale Haen. Paul will be missed terribly by his Siberian Husky, Luna. Paul was an avid supporter of youth sports. From introducing young farm leaguers to the love of baseball, to coaching high school basketball in Jackman, Paul understood the impact of sports on the developing character. To keep his spirit alive, the family has established a memorial fund for youth and teens seeking financial assistance to improve their game; from a new pair of basketball sneakers, to supporting a portion of attending a sports camp, the Paul R. Robbins Memorial Athletic Fund will provide support for student Athletes in the Dexter and Jackman communities needing that extra boost. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support Paul's legacy, Paul R. Robbins Memorial Athletic Fund, c/o Skowhegan Savings Bank, 83 Church Street, Dexter, ME 04930. Paul wishes to thank all those who kindly visited, called, or lifted a toast or smoke for him as those positive thoughts were appreciated immensely. The family would like to thank the staff at the Lafayette Cancer Institute in Brewer for their loving care, Yelena Patsiornik, Paul's oncologist who cared for him during his 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer and the staff at Dana Faber in Boston for their loving understanding as he participated in a clinical trial. Services to be held Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Dexter with Pastor Andrew Bermudez officiating. A celebration of life will follow the service at the family home in Dexter. To know "Paulie" was to love him and he will be sincerely and sadly missed... until our journeys connect again. Those who wish may leave written condolences at CrosbyNeal.com. To plant a tree in memory of Paul R. Robbins, please visit Tribute Store. Published on September 22, 2023