FALMOUTH — Earl J. Robishaw, 90 of Falmouth, Maine, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Born on Feb. 10, 1934 in Rockland, Earl came from a large family of 11 children. Like all of his male siblings, he saw a chance to serve his country and took it. Before he could graduate he left school and his sweetheart, joined the Army, and shipped off to Korea at the age of 17.

Serving with the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion (Red Dragons), he went to the front where he saw heavy combat pushing back the Chinese and North Korean advances in places like Heartbreak Ridge, earning the Bronze Star for his service there. After the war he stayed in the Army and met his first wife while stationed in Germany. Earl and Karla had three children Klaus, Richard and Sandra.

He was called off to Vietnam serving as an infantryman, where he led his platoon on many missions into enemy territory. As Earl would say, “I got shot at a lot.” Shortly after returning, he lost his first wife, Karla, to cancer. Being a family man, he later met Peggy while stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. They married and moved to Cushing after retiring from the Army as a Staff Sergeant.

Having three more children with Peggy – Jonathan, William and Angela – Earl decided to start a new career as Rockland’s traffic officer, a job he truly loved. Back in his hometown again he became “Walkie Chalkie” an iconic figure of Rockland’s Main Street for over 24 years.

Also while living in Cushing he served as a 40 year member of the Cushing Volunteer Fire Department. Shortly after retiring from from Rockland Police Department, Earl lost his second wife, Peggy, to cancer. Knowing he had a lot of life left to live, he couldn’t do it alone.

Remember the high school sweetheart he left to join the Army? They found each other again at their 50th High School Reunion. Nadine (Burpee) Stanhope, also recently widowed, and Earl got married. While in their golden years, Earl spent his time planning family get-togethers and entertaining his grandchildren. He also enjoyed participating in Civil War reenactments, attending class and military reunions, and most of all, making sure his family stayed close. Earl was one of a kind and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Predeceased by his son Klaus Robishaw, and nine of his siblings; Earl is survived by his wife Nadine Robishaw; his children Jonathan Robishaw, Sr. and his wife Heather Sprague of Cushing, William Robishaw and his wife Anne of Belfast, Richard Robishaw of Cushing, Angela Robishaw of Warren, Sandra Bilbo of Holiday, Florida; his step-children, DJ Stanhope of Scarborough, Riahanon Boulay of Hill, New Hampshire, Robert P. Stanhope, Jr. of Buxton; a daughter-in-law, Nina Robishaw of Fort Wayne, Indiana; his brother Donald Robishaw, Sr. and his wife Ercel of Rockland; 8 grandchildren, Kyle Sareyani, Shawn Sprague, Cheyenne Robishaw, Jonathan Robishaw, Jr., Isabella Robishaw, Alexandra Robishaw, Michaela Ecker, Jacob Ecker, Jr.; 3 step-grandchildren, Steven Boulay, Samantha Maxim, Joshua Boulay; three great-grandchildren, Noah Sprague, Tucker Sprague, Kolton Killeran; as well as many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

Family and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 11 a.m., at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland. A reception will take place immediately following.

Interment at Coughlin Cemetery will be held at a later date in the spring.

To share a memory or view a live-stream of Earl’s service, please visit the Robishaw family’s Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.