In Memoriam: Robert Nixon 1945 - 2008
01.22.08 Portland - Robert F. " The Magician" Nixon, 63, of Auburn, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Maine Medical Center. He was born in Portland, January 4, 1945 the son of Frederic and Velma Hersey Nixon. Bob was educated in Portland schools and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era and was married to Laurence Bonneau for 36 magicial and wonderful years.
Bob Nixon was a well-known magician who had always made a difference throughout Maine by performing magic and bringing cheer and amazement to people of all ages. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and served as vice president of the Society of American Magicians. Bob and his wife went over seas to perform for the Military and their families with the Armed Forces Entertainment/USO. He felt that was the least he could do to support our troops who are defending our country. A second passion of Bob's was the game of chess, which brought him to various places across the country to compete in tournaments. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family and friends. He was a very proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife Laurence of Auburn; a son Robert Nixon, II of New York City; a daughter, Kimberly Joler and husband Kevin of Auburn; a granddaughter, Micah Joler of Auburn; a sister, Dartha Vance and husband Philip of Cumberland Foreside; 2 sisters-in-law, Sylvie Dalzil and husband Michel and Madeleine Juneau and husband Norbert and a brother-in-law, Jacques Bonneau and companion Mariette, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE: NIXON, Robert F. 01/19/08. Visitations at Fortin/Auburn on Thursday from 2-4, 6-8 PM. Funeral Friday at 12 noon at the funeral home. Committal Gracelawn Memorial Park. Those wishing may make donations in his memory to the Society of Young Magicians @ Manon Rodriquez, P.O. Box 2900, Pahrump, AZ 89041. Tributes may be sent and moving memories viewed at www.mem.com. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Auburn, 217 Turner St. 783-8545 www.thefortingroup.com.
Comments
It was my honor to know Bob for many years as a person and friend and to have traveled with him on several occasions to chess tournaments in Maine and New Hampshire. He always had a smile, a joke and a story - Bob was one of a kind!
Posted by: James DuBois | January 25, 2008 10:52 PM
I met Bob a number of years ago at Sugarloaf where I was puting on very small, modified simmultaneous exhibition for the multiple sclerosis society. He stopped by and right away I saw he was a remarkable guy, a good chess player, a magician to boot, and a marvelous wit. One could just see he was a loving, giving guy. A rare find in today's world. Bill
Posted by: bill gallagher | January 23, 2008 9:35 AM
I had just met Robert Nixon last Saturday during our tournament. When he told me he was a magician I told him that I would come to see him in Auburn. We also knew each other because he is a special participant with Chessworld.net.
He went out like a candlelight snuffed out by the breeze. It was a sad day for all of us.
Charles Rotmil
Portland Maine
Posted by: charles rotmil | January 22, 2008 10:42 PM
My condolences to Robert's family. I never had the pleasure of meeting him even though I'm from Auburn myself.
Posted by: roger morin | January 22, 2008 9:17 PM