Robert E. Cort ’53

Robert E. Cort, 84, died peacefully January 25, 2017, at the age of 84. He was born June 21, 1932, in Bangor.

Bob graduated from Brewer HS and attended Maine Maritime Academy the following year, where he earned his Marine Engineering degree in 1953. He entered the Merchant Marines after graduation as a 3rd Assistant Merchant Marine Engineer, where he worked for two years. Bob then enlisted in the United States Navy for two years, serving his country in Japan and Korea. Once his military tour was completed, Bob began working with his father in the family business, then known as Maine Coal Sales. He chose to go back to school and enrolled in Husson College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1962, while also working full time in the family business. Bob succeeded his father as president of the company in 1968, and later the company name was changed to Maine Energy Inc. Bob worked diligently to preserve the family legacy, growing the company to become a well-respected Bangor business. In an effort to meet the growing energy needs of the industry, Maine Energy acquired Maine Propane Distributors in 1983. Bob then began expanding the business even more, launching Maine Propane Energy in 1987, Maine Energy Leasing in 1989, and Maine Energy Realty, LLC in 2000. The most recent addition to the company’s portfolio was Hammond Street Holding, LLC, founded in 2013. Maine Energy is the oldest energy company in Bangor to still be owned and operated by its founding family for over 85 years. At the time of his death, Bob was still an active owner and CEO of Maine Energy and all affiliate companies.

Along with his remarkable business successes, Bob was also active in volunteer work with the Anah Shriners of Bangor. Maine Maritime Academy honored Bob in 2005 by naming him an Outstanding Alumnus, an honor bestowed upon just 47 Academy graduates since 1968, and added his name to the school’s “Wall of Honor”. Husson University conferred Bob with the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration in 2015, and the St. Andrews Masonic Lodge honored Bob with a 50-year membership award in December. Bob was an avid skier and hunter and loved all things nautical, including cruise vacations with his wife, and the two traveled to dozens of countries throughout their lifetimes.

In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by a sister, Sharon Ashton. Surviving in addition to his loving wife, Jane (Evans) Cort, are his sons, Robert Evans Cort and his wife, Valerie Peer-Cort of Ellsworth, and J. Brad Cort and his wife, Carol of Lawrenceville, GA.; daughter, Susan J. Feldman and her husband, Mark of Bellefonte, PA; and eight grandchildren, Jessica Marn, Daniel Cort, Stephanie Peer, Lauren Peer, Jennifer McClung, Nicholas Cort, Matthew Feldman and Brian Feldman; and one great-grandchild, Jackson Marn.

Relative and friends are invited to call from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 30, 2017, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. by the officers and members of St. Andrews Lodge #83 A.F. & A.M. of Bangor. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with Rev. Renee U. Garrett/M. Div., Minister of Christian Nurture, officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Church vestry. Interment will be held later in the spring at Farris Cemetery, Cumberland, with military honors.

Those who wish to remember Robert in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Anah Shrine Center, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, Maine 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com – See more at: http://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/story/robert-cort-1932-2017-869479032#sthash.MJUq2myd.dpuf